Phonocardiology: Integrated Study of Heart Sounds and Murmurs

The stethoscope more accurately exemplifies the physician than does the caduceus. Unfortunately, many physicians have not developed the art of cardiac auscultation to that level of competence where the instrument proves its true value as a simple, reliable means of achieving an accurate diagnosis. Dr. Jozef Wartak has written a concise book on clinical auscultation and his message is clear. He describes the current state of the art and science of auscultation, emphasizing the timing and quality of heart sounds and murmurs. The first part of this book deals with basic knowledge of cardiovascular sounds, including the psychophysics and analysis of sound; the second part with the physical, physiologic, and clinical aspects of normal and abnormal heart sounds and murmurs; and a third part, auscultatory features in patients with acquired or congenital heart disease. In the last part, Dr. Wartak explains the techniques used in clinical examination, instrumentation and phonocardiography,