This brand new book is the first of its kind dedicated to exercise and fitness training after stroke. It aims to provide health and exercise professionals, and other suitably qualified individuals, with the necessary information to design and evaluate exercise and fitness programmes for stroke survivors that are safe and effective. The content is based on current evidence and aligned with national clinical guidelines and service frameworks, highlighting the importance of physical activity in self-management after stroke. The book has also been written for stroke survivors and carers who may be interested in physical activity after stroke. Exercise and Fitness Training After Stroke comprehensively discusses the manifestations of stroke and how stroke is managed, the evidence for exercise and fitness training after stroke, how to design, deliver, adapt and evaluate exercise, as well as how to set up exercise services and specialist fitness training programmes for stroke survivors. Includes detailed background in stroke pathology, stroke management and how post-stroke problems may affect the ability to participate in exercise Dedicated to evidence-based exercise prescription with special considerations, cautions and therapy-based strategies for safe practice Covers issues of a professional nature, including national occupational standards, exercise referral pathways, as well as risk assessment and management related to stroke survivors Quality content from a highly qualifi ed, experienced and respected multidisciplinary team

Emergency physicians are usually the first to care for patients with emergency cardiac conditions. They must initiate therapy in a timely manner and must plan care in conjunction with cardiologists, who continue the patient's care. This issue has both emergency physicians and cardiologists as authors, reflecting the fact that both care for patients with cardiac emergencies. Physicians in both disciplines should benefit from the articles in this issue, resulting in better patient care.

In ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the coronary artery is completely blocked by a blood clot. It is the most serious type of heart attack. The best treatment for STEMI patients is to have the blocked artery opened by balloon inflation within 90 minutes of arriving at a hospital. The 90-minute window is called "door-to-balloon time.? The shorter the door-to-balloon time, the greater the chance of survival. Treatment of this life-threatening illness is reviewed in this issue.

This issue of Cardiology Clinics reviews the most current information available on syncope. Expert authors write about the approach to the syncope patient, triage in the Emergency Department, differential diagnosis, and therapy. Keep up-to-the-minute with the latest developments in managing this condition.

Chronic overconsumption of sugar and fat elevates plasma levels of insulin and free fatty acids, a process referred to as glucolipotoxicity. This phenomenon may lead to heart failure. This issue explores in depth the relationship between glucolipotoxicity and heart failure.

Debates and controversies about how to treat difficult problems or conditions abound in cardiac electrophysiology.? This issue attempts to bring together a variety of controversial subjects and to present differing views on how to resolve these questions so clinicians will have a handy guide to the most current thinking about these difficult subjects.

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 swiftly moving field.

An overview of all the available literature on the various aspects of the regulation of the cardiovascular system`s function and physiology by the adrenergic neurohormonal system, i.e. the catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine. Although there are several books describing the adrenergic system`s biology, physiology and pharmacology, and also several excellent books on cardiovascular physiology and pathology, this book focuses exclusively on the interface of these two areas: cardiovascular regulation by the adrenergic system and how it affects cardiovascular diseases and their treatments. Each chapter describe the roles of the adrenergic system first in each cardiovascular cell type (cell type-by-cell type) and then in specific areas of cardiovascular physiology, such as in exercise and in cardiovascular metabolism. Finally, the book concludes with a chapter on the adrenergic system`s role in the currently very "hot" (in terms of scientific investigations) area of cardiovascular stem cell biology. The book covers the adrenergic system-specifically and exclusively in the heart and vessels. It is formatted by cardiovascular cell type-by-cell type manner, rather than in an organ-by-organ or in a disease-by-disease manner, as usually discussed in standard, conventional biomedical textbooks. The book also discusses the adrenergic system in novel, cutting-edge cardiovascular research areas, in which it has not been covered well so far (e.g. stem cells, exercise). These three areas constitute the most important assets of the book, which sets it apart from others in the field.

The treatment of hypertension has become the most important intervention in the management of all forms of chronic kidney disease. Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension is a current, concise, and practical guide to the identification, treatment and management of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease. In depth chapters discuss many relevant clinical questions and the future of treatment through medications and or novel new devices. Written by expert authors, Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension provides an up-to-date perspective on management and treatment and how it may re-shape practice approaches tomorrow.

The complexity of issues associated with gating studies with PET imaging are mostly unknown among practitioners of the field, which is posing a significant danger to those who undergo such studies. This is particularly true for respiratory gating examination. Topics in this issue include both basic and clinical topics, including views from radiation oncology physicians.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.? The changes resulting from PH make it difficult for the heart to push blood through the pulmonary arteries, causing the heart to become weak and possibly to develop failure.? Understanding the causes and treatment of PH can help heart failure specialists prevent heart failure due to PH.

Chronic total occlusion is the complete blockage of a coronary artery. Opening up such blocked passageways is one of the most difficult challenges for coronary interventionists. The procedures take longer than most interventional procedures and frequently have complications. Articles in this issue review the state of the art in percutaneous treatment of chronic total occlusion.

This issue reviews the indications and procedures for surgery in patients with localized pulmonary infection. It includes articles on TB, pulmonary abscesses, fungal infections, and other entities.

Clinically accessible information for pathologists on histology, differential diagnosis, and clinical overview is presented. Topics in this subject on Cardiovascular Pathology include: Examination of the Explanted/Autopsy Heart; Native Valves; Prosthetic Valves; Cardiac Transplant Biopsies; Diagnostic (Native Heart) Biopsies; Aorta; Temporal Arteritis/Vasculitis/Vascular Lesions; Cardiac Tumors; and Cardiac Devices. Each article presents Key Considerations; Pitfalls of working with the particular entity; Differential Diagnosis summaries; Gross and histologic features with clinicopathologic correlates; Complications; Technical considerations; Post transplant biopsy findings where relevant; and Communicating results.

As the first primer on the effects of exercise on human hypertension, Effects of Exercise on Hypertension: From Cells to Physiological Systems provides the state-of-the-art effects of exercise on the many possible mechanisms underlying essential hypertension in humans. The book contains chapters by distinguished experts on the effects of exercise on physiological systems known to be involved in hypertension development and maintenance as well as less well known aspects of hypertension such as 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure profile and oxidative stress. An emerging area, the effects of resistance exercise training on blood pressure is also covered. A unique aspect of the book is that it covers the effects of exercise mimetics on vascular cell adaptations in order to begin to elucidate some of the cellular mechanisms that may underlie blood pressure reductions with exercise training. Lastly, the book will end with a chapter on the interactive effects of genes and exercise on blood pressure. Chapters are grouped by physiological system or mechanism. The text begins with two overview chapters; one on the general effects of aerobic exercise training and the second on the general effects of resistance exercise training on blood pressure. Each chapter begins with a bulleted list of key points. Effects of Exercise on Hypertension: From Cells to Physiological Systems will be of great value to professional individuals in cardiovascular medicine, the cardiovascular sciences, allied health care professionals, and medical and graduate students in the cardiovascular sciences and medicine.

This issue of Clinics in Geriatric Medicine focuses on the pharmacological, non-pharmacological, and device therapies in the medical management of cardiac rhythm disorders in the elderly population. It also reviews the epidemiology of arrhythmias and conduction disorders in older adults, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter: stroke prevention, bradyarrhythmias and conduction disorders, and comorbidities, quality of life, and end-of-life issues in older patients with heart rhythm disorders.

This text evolved as a response to numerous requests to present a simplified approach to the diagnosis and management of most of the common aspects of both cosmetic and medical venous disorders. The authors, representing experienced plebologists from several different primary disciplines, have attempted to present simplistic paradigm-oriented approaches on how to thoughtfully evaluate and manage common vein issues with contemporary solutions. Several areas of phlebology were not addressed in this text. The management of vascular malformations are beyond the scope of this text and were not covered in detail. Although indications for the appropriate use of IVC filters are discussed, the details about the specific devices, their placement and removal are also beyond the scope of this text. Deep venous obstruction from prior thrombosis, venous compression by arteries such as the compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery and pelvic venous insufficiency can now be managed with minimally invasive image guided treatments; the technical aspects of such treatments are complex and not discussed in detail in this handbook. This book will increase the therapeutic skill of the practicing phlebologist and thus increase the quality of care for patients faced with problems related to venous disorders.

Although heart failure typically begins with the left side of the heart, it is also important for cardiologists to understand right-sided heart failure, which is the inability of the right side of the heart to adequately pump venous blood into the pulmonary circulation. Right heart failure causes a back-up of fluid in the body, resulting in swelling and edema. This issue covers the normal right ventricle (RV), imaging of the RV, RV failure in a variety of settings, and tratmen tof RV failure, including interventions.

Pregnancy stresses the heart and circulatory system. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by 30 to 50 percent. The amount of blood the heart pumps each minute also increases by 30 to 50 percent, and heart rate increases as well. These changes cause the heart to work harder, as do labor and delivery. This issue covers diagnosis and treatment of cardiac symptoms and cardiac emergencies during pregnancy.

This important issue of Medical Clinics provides essential updates in heart failure.? The following topics are covered: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and general approach for heart failure; symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, and prognostic significance of systolic versus diastolic heart failure; the appropriate use of biomarkers; oral versus intravenous diuretic therapy; guideline-based therapy including RAAS blockade, beta-blockade, and aldosterone antagonist, appropriate use of AICD and biventricular pacing; role of ventricular assist device; pathophysiological consideration and management approaches in acute decompensated heart failure; pathophysiology and current approaches to cardiorenal syndrome; heart failure with other comorbidities including diabetes, obesity, anemia, and cancer; heart failure and atrial fibrillation; and the role of disease management strategies in heart failure.

In the joint American College of Cardiology /American Heart Association classification system, Stage B heart failure refers to patients with structural heart disease but no symptoms of heart failure.? Preventing progression of heart failure in Stage B patients is a central concern to heart failure specialists, so two issues have been devoted to this topic.? Part I focuses on an understanding of structural heart disease and the factors that cause progression from risk of heart failure to development of structural changes.

Among the most recently developed procedures for treating heart disease in a minimally invasive way are the techniques for percutaneous treatment of valvular heart disease. These are important advances because the only alternative is open heart surgery, which is not an option for many high-risk patients.? This issue provides a detailed description of several percutaneous procedures, including trans-catheter aortic valve implantation.