Book excerpt: Provides the information necessary to guide clinicians to more efficient and appropriate use of the cardiac imaging modalities at their disposal Most books currently available on cardiac imaging focus on just modality. As the number of imaging options has increased, the choice of procedure has become more complicated. This comprehensive book will guide the practitioner in choosing the most appropriate test when confronted by various cardiac symptoms and diseases and to understand the benefits and limitations of each imaging modality. It demonstrates the advantages and disadvantages of various imaging modalities such as echocardiography, computer tomography, MRI, and nuclear cardiology in the evaluation of various disease states both commonly and infrequently seen in a standard practice. Comparative Cardiac Imaging—A Case-based Guide utilizes actual case examples to demonstrate the state of the art in comparative cardiac imaging. It offers in-depth chapter coverage of Aortic Diseases; Aortic Valvular Diseases; Mitral Valvular Diseases; Prosthetic Valves; Coronary Artery Disease; Pulmonary Artery Diseases; Congenital Heart Disease; Cardiac Tumor; Infective Disease; Cardiomypathy; and Cardiac Trauma. Uniquely focuses on and compares the many different modalities for cardiac imaging Breaks the topic down by anatomy and pathophysiology in order to cover all aspects of non-invasive cardiac imaging Covers newer and lesser known modalities like speckle tracking and velocity vector imaging Offers coverage of more controversial topics, such as CT angiography Comparative Cardiac Imaging—A Case-based Guide presents a level of data that is appropriate for the practicing cardiologist and cardiology trainee, as well as residents, internists, and other primary care clinicians.