Comprehensive Intra-Aortic Balloon Counterpulsation

This book is still the book that we use for our cardiovascular technician program. There really are no other books on the subject that truly contain all the information needed for a comprehensive understanding on the subject of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation. Don't let the copyright date scare you off; the basic premises on assist device physiology, indications, triggering modes and timing errors, and complications transcend the gap between then and now. The practice waveforms on timing errors continue to be the ones we use for our students. I would like to see an updated version that maybe contains data on some of the newer circulatory assist devices, such as Abiomed's Impella system. Until then, I will continue to use this reference that has always given me the answers that I need when I need them.

After having read both editions of Quaal's book, I did notice that the captioning of some of the figures in the second edition are incorrect. This was probably just a minor oversight in updating from the first edition. Overall, my previous review is still the same.

Susan Quaal continues to maintain a high standard of quality in covering intraaortic balloon pumping. Her book is detailed and gives much useful information for the medical professional on theory and operation of IABP's and patient management. The paperback edition is especially useful as a bedside reference. The only negative thing about this book is it's 1993 copyright. In the fast-changing medical field, the most up-to-date product information is always helpful, but the majority of the book remains relavent and is very concise.