Bøger i Basic Science for the Cardiolo serien

During several decades of this century, the classical physiological studies on the cardiovascular system have greatly improved our knowledge on the function of this system under normal and pathological conditions. This knowledge was the basis of the breakthrough for diagnostic techniques like the Swan-Ganz catheter, coronary arteriography, left and right heart biopsies, and invasive measurements of contractility, as well as therapeutic tools including aortocoronary bypass surgery, percutanous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and a broad field of pharmacological interventions for the whole spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, especially chronic heart failure. It was during the last decade that the scientific world focused on the evolution of molecular biology of the cardiovascular system so that cardiovascular physiology seemed to become less important. Regarding the myocardium, molecular alterations of important functional proteins (phenotype changes), as well as signal transduction pathways of contractility and cardiac growth have been elucidated. The functional importance of a number of genes has undoubtedly been proven with the help of transgenic animals. Mechanics and Energetics of the Myocardium provides an overview for those researchers and practioners interested in the broad field of molecular biology and physiology of the cardiovascular system.

Cardiology is an area of great recent triumphs in pharmacological and surgical treatment, yet cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and disability in the industrialized world. Coronary disease, heart failure, stroke and sudden arrhythmic cardiac death challenge both medical practitioners and scientists. With the dawning of the new `molecular' era, there is an awakened hope that a more fundamental understanding of biologic processes may eventually lead to new progress in the prevention and treatment of these persistent and seemingly intransigent problems. Molecular Cardiology in Clinical Practice brings together an outstanding panel of experts in cardiovascular disease who have been at the forefront of the application of molecular medicine to cardiology. Its intent is to help bridge the gap between modern medical practice and modern science, in the belief that an understanding of basic principles can lead to new insight into the problems of cardiac patients.