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by Vincent
Marks, Thomas Cantor, Dusan Mesko, Rudolph Pullmann, & Gabriela
Nosalova (Published by Springer 2002)
Although the sub-title to this textbook is �A quick reference
for Physicians�, it will also prove to be useful to those who work
in medical laboratories.
The first and major section of the book consists of an
alphabetical list of substances analysed in clinical biochemistry
laboratories. Most of the substances are treated fully including
their production, function and test purpose; the significance of
raised or lowered concentrations or activities are also listed
along with each substance.
The second section is entitled �Biochemical/laboratory findings
in clinical units and conditions�. A large number of clinical
conditions are presented alphabetically and the rise or fall of the
biochemical parameters are listed in detail for each condition.
The third section deals with the consequences on test results of
interfering medicaments. These interfering medicaments are listed
alphabetically and the rise or fall in the levels of paramenters
caused by each inteferent are detailed.
Appendices list the reference ranges for each measured
substance, their basic pharmacokinetic parameters and the
conversion factors necessary to convert from SI units to
�conventional� units or vice versa.
In addition there is an introductory section that covers the
important features of the pre-examination, examination and
post-examination phases. There is also a useful list of
abbreviations and a list of the effects of incorrect sampling or of
clinical conditions (such as recent blood transfusion) on the
integrity of the sample.
This will be a very useful book for those who work in clinical
chemistry laboratories. The one criticism is that the title
indicates that the book deals with all of laboratory medicine; this
is not the case as it is almost entirely limited to clinical
chemistry tests. Further volumes covering haematology and
microbiology would be very helpful for those who specialise in
these areas.
David L. Williams
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