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Although care of the circulatory system has been a distinct specialty since the mid 20th century, the focus has largely been on the arterial system. Numerous textbooks and articles have been published about arterial disease and its treatment, but fewer resources are available regarding the venous and lymphatic systems. Nevertheless, optimal functioning of these systems is vital to human health.
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The present book, Venous and Lymphatic Diseases, edited by my colleague and good friend Ray Dieter Jr., and his sons Ray Dieter III and Robert Dieter, is a welcome addition to the literature about the circulatory system. As a practical, comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and treatment of venous and lymphatic disorders, this multi-authored textbook features a highly readable text, ample references and illustrations, and an attractive design.
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I congratulate the Dieters for producing this excellent volume, which is a companion to their superb textbook, Peripheral Arterial Disease, published by McGraw-Hill in 2009. Both of these works provide an important resource for medical students, practicing physicians, researchers, and all other health care professionals interested in diseases of the circulatory system.
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President Emeritus and Surgeon-in-Chief
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