The Theoretical Basis of Electrocardiology

The Theoretical Basis of Electrocardiology, edited by C.V. Nelson and D.B. Geselowitz, attempts to bridge the gap between understanding of basic electrophysiology and the electrical representation of this activity on the body surface. In view of the increasing research importance and potential clinical usefulness of analyzing all the electrical information available at the body surface, their book serves an important function in detailing the considerations which translate the electrical activity within the heart to its expression on the body surface. This area is not emphasized in standard electrocardiographic textbooks and deserves considerable attention. Several chapters, such as those in the section in physical and mathematical theory of the electrocardiogram, are difficult for the clinical reader. Other chapters dealing with the effects of respiration and heart position, the influences of transfer factors, the properties of volume conductors and the techniques and use of body surface mapping are particularly interesting. The subject material and price of this book will make it most useful as a reference; to those with a special interest in electrocardiography it is a most valuable addition to standard electrophysiology and electrocardiography texts.