Neurocardiology

New ideas about intrinsic and extrinsic cardiac intrathoracic neurons, the role of spinal cord and medullary and higher center neurons are presented. The final chapters focus on the role that autonomic neurons play in the maintenance of cardiac function in the conscious state as well as in two major clinical conditions, dysrythimias and heart failure.

This valuable reference provides a wide range of practical, clinical information for physicians who care for patients with neurological and cardiac problems. Clinical Neurocardiology considers neurological complications arising from cardiac surgery and other cardiac interventions describes neurological findings in heart dise

The progression of heart disease is associated with changes in the neurohumoral mechanisms that control cardiac function. The degree to which this neurohumoral remodeling occurs, even before overt signs of cardiac disease become manifest, is important for prognosis. To determine why some patients experience sudden death while others sustain life in the presence of severely compromised cardiac function, the neuronal control of cardiac electrical and mechanical events must be considered. Starting at the level of individual neurons and building upwards, this book describes the synergistic interactions that occur among intrathoracic and CNS feedback loops to permit precise control of regional cardiac behavior. On this basic science foundation, subsequent clinical chapters explore the remodeling that occurs in this system with aging, with the evolution of specific cardiac pathologies, and with the psychological concomitants of heart disease. Most importantly, these chapters provide unique insights into how specific therapies like beta-andrenergic receptor blockade not only affect cardiomyocytes directly but also mitigate the adverse neurohumoral changes that accompany disease processes, such as heart failure and essential hypertension. The paradigm advanced in this volume is that heart disease is a multifaceted phenomenon involving the interplay of neurohumoral, cardiomyocyte and structural elements, each of which depends on the other. With our cumulative understanding of these interdependent processes, new avenues for time-appropriate, targeted methods of treating heart diseases can be developed.

Neurocardiovascular diseases and disturbances are a distinguished group of the pathological entities that demand an integrative scientific approach to be studied, treated and finally, cured. Brain-heart and vessels axes can be comprehended as a complex, bidirectional unit of utmost importance for organism survival. Harmonized functioning of this unit through the autonomic nervous system interface can be fatally compromised by stress, infection, systemic diseases, dietary habits, pharmacological and surgical interventions. The scope of this Research Topic is to emphasize the importance of the scientists’ and medical practitioners’ attention to molecular and systemic modes of the brain-heart and vessels functioning and, often underestimated, neurocardiovascular pathology by a patient’s bedside. In the last couple of decades, this research area flourished and contributed to the general knowledge by placing the new milestones neurocardiovascular physiology and pathology. We hope that by this modest contribution we will provide an interesting, practical and innovative update on the novelties in the field of neurocardiovascular research.

This fourth edition of Autonomic Failure (now available in paperback) covers the many recent advances made in our understanding of the autonomic nervous system. There are 20 new chapters and extensive revisions of all other contributions. Autonomic failure, fourth edition makes diagnosis increasingly precise by fully evaluating the underlying anatomical and functional deficits, thereby allowing more effective treatment. This new edition continues to provide practitioners from a variety of fields, including neurology, cardiology, geriatric medicine, diabetology, and internal medicine, with a rational guide to aid in the recognition and management of autonomic disorders. The book starts with an updated classification of autonomic disorders and a history of the autonomic nervous system. The first two sections of the book deal with the fundamental aspects of autonomic structure, function, and integration. There are new chapters dealing with neurobiology, nerve growth factors, genetic mutations, neural and hormonal control of the cerebral circulation, innervation of the lung, and pathophysiological mechanisms causing nausea and vomiting. Advances in the clinical management of autonomic disorders are critically dependent on the bridge made between the basic and applied sciences.

The heart is our most important organ and perhaps our most mysterious. Every day it pumps 9000 litres of blood and beats around 100,000 times. But the heart is more than just a pump. In all major human cultures, it is seen as the source of love, sympathy, joy, courage, strength and wisdom. Why is this so? Having witnessed the extraordinary complexity and unpredictability of human hearts in the operating theatre – each one individual in its make-up, like a fingerprint – heart surgeon Reinhard Friedl went on a search for answers. He examined closely the latest findings in neurocardiology and psychocardiology, and in The Beat of Life he shares his discoveries. In the tradition of Giulia Enders’ Gut and Norman Doidge’s The Brain That Changes Itself, he uses riveting personal stories to illustrate the complex relationship between the heart, the brain and the psyche. The Beat of Life ends with a plea: that we recognise the heart’s wisdom and adopt a more heart-centred way of living, which will lead to greater health.

This ambitious and comprehensive handbook represents an essential contribution to our current understanding of interactions between heart and brain, a research topic generating growing interest. Despite the increasing awareness that neural mechanisms are the primary cause of cardiac disease and its progression, therapy continues to focus on end-organ protection and does not approach the neural core of the problem. Growing public health problems such as heart failure are still treated with autonomic drugs that are 30-40 years old and simply act on cardiac receptors. However, it has now been shown that the progression of ischemic heart disease to heart failure is mainly due to abnormal central responses to incipient cardiac disease, with neural activation the primary cause rather than the consequence of cardiac remodeling. Written by leading international experts in their respective research areas, the book presents a variety of perspectives on the core topic: from social and philosophical to gender-related aspects. It is designed for a broad readership and includes dedicated sections for cardiologists, psychiatrists, neurologists and psychotherapists looking for a more insightful and targeted approach to neuro-cardiovascular disease.

Combining the research and study of integrative Chinese and Western Medicine, Integrative Cardiovascular Chinese Medicine: A Prevention and Personalized Medicine Perspective presents a clear, structured base to guide clinical practice and encourage collaboration between Chinese medicine and Western medicine practitioners. This complete reference work thoroughly covers the pathophysiology of cardiology-related diseases, and compares, juxtaposes, and integrates Western and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Anika Niambi Al-Shura provides a realistic scope of cardiology treatment and the integration of Western and Chinese medicine, establishing a basis for standardization and a rationale for the inclusion of TCM in cardiology, and identifying and inspiring ideas for future research. Integrates Western and Chinese medicine for a realistic scope of cardiology treatment Establishes basis for standardization and rationale for the inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine in cardiology "Clinical pearls" provide a guiding base of traditional Chinese medicine in clinical use Offers a reference section that lists the latest in published studies Presents easy access to the medicines and herbs used in both Chinese and Western medicine, including photos and information about the current patents