Cardiology in Old Age

As longevity increases, the scope of cardiac disorders extends more widely in the sixth decade and onward into the seventh and subse- quent decades. For example, as a result of effective cardiac surgery in childhood, congential heart disease is now found with increasing frequency in adults and not exceptionally in persons over 65 years of age. The frequency of aortic valve replacement for calcific congenital valve stenosis in subjects around 70 years of age illustrates the intrusion of congenital heart disease into the older age range. Thus, the publica- tion of Cardiology in Old Age will be especially welcome at this time. The Editors have assembled a formidable galaxy of experts to present the special problems of epidemiology, pathology, cardiovascu- lar physiology and function, and of specific cardiac disorders in the elderly. The chapter on cardiac surgery is particularly appropriate to many current problems. The whole subject must be of growing concern to all clinicians and health workers who have increasingly to deal with older patients who have cardiovascular disorders. Knowledge of the effects of aging on the cardiovascular system is therefore of great interest and the information given in this book undoubtedly will be of value to general physicians and cardiologists, who may be expected in the future to work more closely with geriatricians in the care of the elderly. Continuing research into the problems of aging is clearly also of great importance especially in the field of cardiovascular medicine.