Vascular Adjustments In Cardiovascular Disorders

Research centering on blood flow in the heart continues to hold an important position, especially since a better understanding of the subject may help reduce the incidence of coronary arterial disease and heart attacks. This book summarizes recent advances in the field; it is the product of fruitful cooperation among international scientists who met in Japan in May, 1990 to discuss the regulation of coronary blood flow.

This presentation describes various aspects of the regulation of tissue oxygenation, including the roles of the circulatory system, respiratory system, and blood, the carrier of oxygen within these components of the cardiorespiratory system. The respiratory system takes oxygen from the atmosphere and transports it by diffusion from the air in the alveoli to the blood flowing through the pulmonary capillaries. The cardiovascular system then moves the oxygenated blood from the heart to the microcirculation of the various organs by convection, where oxygen is released from hemoglobin in the red blood cells and moves to the parenchymal cells of each tissue by diffusion. Oxygen that has diffused into cells is then utilized in the mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of all cells. The mitochondria are able to produce ATP until the oxygen tension or PO2 on the cell surface falls to a critical level of about 4–5 mm Hg. Thus, in order to meet the energetic needs of cells, it is important to maintain a continuous supply of oxygen to the mitochondria at or above the critical PO2 . In order to accomplish this desired outcome, the cardiorespiratory system, including the blood, must be capable of regulation to ensure survival of all tissues under a wide range of circumstances. The purpose of this presentation is to provide basic information about the operation and regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the properties of the blood and parenchymal cells, so that a fundamental understanding of the regulation of tissue oxygenation is achieved.

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

The book "From Hypertension to Heart Failure" will cover new aspects of the treatment of hypertension, arrhythmias, heart failure and coronary artery diseases. The topics will include new pathophysiological findings, the theoretical background of pharmacological treatment, results of the latest studies, and practical guidelines for treatment. Case reports will make the book applicable for a broad readership of general internists. The therapy of heart failure with betablockers is one of the most controversially discussed topics in cardiovascular medicine. Therefore, the book will critically deal with this new form of therapy for this disabling condition.

Hypertension is a condition which affects millions of peopleworldwide and its treatment greatly reduces the risk of strokes andheart attacks. This fully revised and updated edition of the ABCof Hypertension is an established guide providing all thenon-specialist needs to know about the measurement of bloodpressure and the investigation and management of hypertensivepatients. This new edition provides comprehensively updated andrevised information on how and whom to treat. The ABC of Hypertension will prove invaluable to generalpractitioners who may be screening large numbers of patients forhypertension, as well as nurse practitioners, midwives and otherhealthcare professionals.