In Advanced Imaging in Coronary Artery Disease, the role of several imaging techniques in diagnosing atherosclerosis, assessment of myocardial ischemia, myocardial viability, and heart failure are broadly discussed. The issues derived from cardiac PET are presented in relation to the conventional techniques, such as echocardiography, SPECT and MRI. In addition, newer imaging techniques such as intracoronary ultrasound, electron beam computed tomography, and Raman spectroscopy are given wide attention. The effects of drug treatment, such as anti-ischemic and lipid-lowering drugs, are...

Based on a number of collaborative efforts between basic researchers and clinicians from different institutions in Leiden, this book covers the initial and promising results of these efforts.
The role of the endothelium, especially of the coronary intravascular species is a relatively new and fascinating development in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease. Three major aspects of endothelial function receive attention in this volume:

• its regulatory role in myocardial function, evidence for which is gradually forthcoming, with possible great implications for disease...

In the past, coronary arteriography was the only modality available to provide high quality images of the coronary anatomy. Quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) was developed, implemented, validated and extensively applied to obtain accurate and reproducible data about coronary morphology and the functional significance of coronary obstructions. Over the last few years extensive basic technological research supported by clinical investigations has created competing modalities to visualize coronary morphology and the associated perfusion of the myocardial muscle. Currently, the following...