Preface

The publication of the second edition of Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach continues the standards and philosophies set with the inaugural edition. More than any other book in this field, Pharmacotherapy seeks to advance the level of pharmaceutical care available to the public. When the first edition was compiled, the editors sought out experts on each major disease state for which pharmacotherapists generally provide care. No limitations by geography,
politics, or personalities were allowed. The result of that philosophy is a textbook that stimulates the pharmacy student to better learning; that pushes the young practitioner to more advanced care of patients; that challenges the older pharmacist to learn the concepts missed during years of practice; and that forces the profession to recognize the standards of pharmaceutical care toward which we should all strive.

The second edition continues this effort. Generally, a textbook will change considerably between the first and second editions, but we have found the necessary refinements to be more in nuances than in scope or philosophy.

Critical in this book is imparting a way of thinking to the developing practitioner. The key to this process is in the pathophysiology sections, which identify mechanisms of disease and associated approaches to therapy, not just specific facts about drug therapy as we know it today. By understanding pathophysiology and principles of therapy, the student can assess more rigorously the place of newly introduced drugs or other therapeutic approaches.

As was the first edition, Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, second edition, is very much a portrait of the current state of pharmacotherapy practice. Through the contributions of 187 individuals representing 90 different institutions, the current standard of pharmaceutical care is reflected in this book.

The individuals involved in the first edition included five editors and four additional section editors. One of these section editors—Gary R. Matzke—is an editor for this second edition, with responsibility for the Renal Disorders section (which now includes fluid and electrolyte disorders) and the Clinical Nutrition section. Joseph T. DiPiro has added the Gastrointestinal Disorders section to his initial area of responsibility (i.e., Diseases of Infectious Origin), and Robert L. Talbert coordinated the Respiratory Disorders and Endocrinologic Disorders chapters in addition to the Cardiovascular Disorders section. Peggy E. Hayes continued her responsibility for the Neurologic Disorders and Psychiatric Disorders sections and also created the Gynecologic and Obstetrics Disorders section. Gary C. Yee became responsible for the Hematologic Disorders and Immunologic Disorders sections, extending naturally from his expertise in oncology. ...