Heart transplantation remains one of the major scientific achievements of twentieth century medicine. During the past four decades, it has evolved from an unproven experimental surgical technique to the most effective form of therapy for refractory end-stage heart disease. It has captured the public's imagination and expanded our understanding of fundamental immunologic mechanisms that are responsible for cellular and humorally-mediated immunity. Despite its successes, many clinical and scientific problems remain. One or more bouts of acute cellular or humoral (vascular) rejection will occur...

Cardiac CT obtains information about coronary arteries, great arteries and veins, and heart valves.? It shows the location and extent of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries and helps detect coronary artery disease at an early stage, which neither traditional imaging techniques nor cardiac testing? can do. Over the last decade technologic advances in CT angiography have been made at a rapid rate, and the new applications and refinements of existing technology continue to be made.? This issue will help practicing cardiologists to keep up with the latest technology in this important and...

This issue of Medical Clinics of North America provides the latest essential updates on coronary risk factors.? The following key questions are answered.? Are new biomarkers informative? LDL: the lower the better How important is HDL How much credit does triglyceride deserve How important is family history of coronary disease How important is age in determining coronary risk factors Endothelial progenitor cells, menopause, and coronary risk factors What is the role of imaging in prevention of coronary artery disease Is genomics ready for primetime Pediatric statinization Individualized...

Heart transplantation remains one of the major scientific achievements of twentieth century medicine. During the past four decades, it has evolved from an unproven experimental surgical technique to the most effective form of therapy for refractory end-stage heart disease. It has captured the public's imagination and expanded our understanding of fundamental immunologic mechanisms that are responsible for cellular and humorally-mediated immunity. Despite its successes, many clinical and scientific problems remain. One or more bouts of acute cellular or humoral (vascular) rejection will occur...

This atlas elucidates the role of the neuronal component in normal cardiovascular function and cardiac disorders and discusses the currently available imaging targets and probes. It provides a foundation in cardiac neuronal imaging and image processing and serves as a guide in the effective utilization of these techniques in clinical and research settings. The atlas discusses the principles of autonomic control in the regulation of cardiac function and disease; chemistry and biology of radiotracers designed to target changes in the myocardial sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation as a...

This atlas is a practical and fully illustrated guide to the use of intravascular OCT in diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. Each case includes a brief clinical history, procedure summary, angiography and OCT images, including video material, and a discussion of how OCT affected the clinical decision-making process.