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Pathways of Care in Vasular Surgery

This book describes recent developments and best practice in vascular surgery, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary care pathways. It is based upon a symposium held in Sheffield in June 2002, which aimed to improve the provision and equality of care for patients with peripheral arterial and venous disease. Many authors have contributed to this book, including vascular surgeons, anaesthetists, radiologists, nurses and vascular technologists.

The book consists of five sections covering the main areas of management of patients with peripheral vascular disease: outpatients and medical management; vascular imaging and endovascular intervention; vascular surgery; anaesthesia and theatres; and organisational aspects of care. It focuses on the most important aspects of care rather than the comprehensive approach of larger (and more expensive) textbooks. Each chapter describes a care pathway based on pragmatism and the evidence, where available. Each chapter lists one or more books for further reading rather than exhaustive references.

It uses a simplified classification of grading evidence and recommendations for use with clinical guidelines, which is referenced in the text by the appropriate bold numeral or letter in brackets.

This book represents an exciting move towards multidisciplinary care in peripheral arterial and venous disease.

Jonathan Beard is a consultant vascular surgeon at the Sheffield Vascular Institute, Chairman of the JVRG and has extensive experience of editing vascular textbooks as well as the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Shelagh Murray is a senior clinical nurse in vascular surgery at St George's Hospital London, President of the Society of Vascular Nurses and has edited a textbook of vascular nursing.

Pathways of Care in Vascular Surgery is essential reading for all those involved in the care of patients with peripheral arterial and venous disease.