This book is a timely and expertly written text that emphasizes the often neglected relationship between disorders of veins and arteries and disorders of blood coagulation. In the first chapter on the pathophysiology of blood coagulation, the authors emphasize the overall scheme of coagulation mechanisms rather than the laborious details. Included is an excellent algorithm for the evaluation of tests of hemostasis. Enhanced coagulability and inappropriate thrombosis receive succinct and pertinent coverage in the second chapter. Together these chapters provide the pathophysiologic framework for the rest of the book.
The second and main section of the book consists of eight chapters devoted to deep venous occlusive disease of the upper and lower extremities, pulmonary embolism, stroke, ischemic heart disease, mesenteric vascular occlusion, hepatic vein occlusion, and peripheral arterial disease. Overall, these are concise, well-organized, and extensively referenced chapters. The chapter on peripheral arterial disease, by Rich and Collins, suffers from