A number of exciting new developments have occurred during the last few years concerning the platelet-vessel wall interaction. Although they may be obvious and clear to the specialist in the field, for the clinician the area has become rather confusing. Time has come to review current knowledge on the pathophysiology of the platelet-vessel wall interaction and show how this knowledge can constitute the rationale for pharmacotherapeutic interventions. A symposium was organized in Antwerp during which a number of outstanding speakers gave an overview of what is new on a particular topic and how...

A database is in principle just a large collection of related or separate data, systematically stored in a computer. It should be possible for the data to be easily entered into the database-structure and afterwards also easily read, corrected and processed. The later analysis of data from such a database is greatly enhanced by the availability of special query languages and statistical analysis programs, not only for serial items but also for large combinations of data. Query languages, such as SQL (Structured Query Language) developed especially for these purposes, make databases easily...

In June 1989, a third conference concentrating on the progress in quantita- tive coronary angiography and related techniques was held in Rotterdam, again very successful as the two preceding events in 1985 and 1987. Tech- nical as well as clinical aspects of digital and digitized coronarography, morphometry, parametric imaging and functional quantification of the human coronary circulation were presented and discussed by prominent exponents of those groups who have been active in this particular field for many years. This book contains the chapters representing the lectures held by leading...

We all know how much time, effort and money it takes to develop a new drug. Hundreds of chemical compounds have to be synthesized and thousands of different activities in biology, physiology, pharmacology, clinical investigation, management and marketing have to be initiated and coordinated. Each new drug starts a voyage of discovery through an unmapped terrain which is shrouded in mist and beset by pitfalls, as Dr. Rein Vos puts it in his absorbing inside story of the development of the beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents and the calcium antagonists. Indeed we know, for example, how long it...

Since the introduction of balloon angioplasty for the relief of coronary artery stenoses and of anginal symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease by Andreas Griintzig in 1977, the field of interventional technology and treatment strategies has grown enormously. For the reduction of hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenoses balloon angioplasty is the standard and reference method with a high primary success and low complication rate. Because of the relatively high recurrence rates of 30-40% of balloon angioplasty a whole family of different angioplasty techniques has been...

Heart failure is a major, cause of death worldwide, most frequently secondary toacardiomyopathicdisorder. The rolesofviruses, immunity, cytokines and genetics as sources of heart failure have been relatively understated in the rapidly developing world of clinical cardiology. Yet, great progress in molecular biology and the recent application of new techniquesto studiesoftheetiologyandpathogenesisofcardiomyopathies and heart failure has shed new light in an area ready to undergo major developmentsandadvances. This book is an effort to present an up-to-date account of eXIstmg knowledge,...

Four years ago-in December 1997-the first European Science Foundation Workshop on Cardiovascular Specific Gene Expression was held in Maastricht. It was hardly possible to imagine the progress in the field in those four years. In 1997, gene expression was still an art focused on individual genes; in 200 I, many labs have access to micro-array facilities to determine the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. In 1997, gene expression was an area of fundamental research in basis molecular biology laboratories; in 200 I, clinical cardiovascular research has incorporated gene expression...

Angina pectoris with normal coronary arteriograms is a common entity which has puzzled cardiologists almost since the advent of coronary arteriography. Despite major advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of angina in recent years and a multitude of studies on the subject, the cause and mechanisms underlying the syndrome of angina with normal coronary arteries remain unknown. Indeed, results of investigations are controversial and speculation still prevails regarding the nature of the so called Syndrome X'.
Almost every important aspect of Syndrome X has been tackled in...

That geriatric cardiology has become a science and clinical discipline in its own rights is beyond dispute. Most cardiac disorders present with different symptoms and signs, require a different diagnostic and therapeutic approach, and also have a different prognosis in the elderly as compared to younger patients.
Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly provides a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the physician, representing a pioneering work in this increasingly complex area. For this third edition most of the chapters have been completely rewritten, some by different authors....

The molecular basis for atrial fibrillation continues to be largely unknown, and therapy remains unchanged, aimed at controlling the heart rate and preventing systemic emboli with anticoagulation. Familial atrial fibrillation is more common than previously suspected. While atrial fibrillation is commonly associated with acquired heart disease, a significant proportion of individuals have early onset without other forms of heart disease, referred to as "lone" atrial fibrillators. It is also well recognized that atrial fibrillation occurs on a reversible or functional basis, without associated...