Session I: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Structural Aspects and Mechanisms.- 1. Relations of Left Ventricular Geometry and Function to Prognosis in Hypertension.- 2. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Arterial Compliance, and Aging.- 3. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Arterial Blood Pressure in Experimental Models of Hypertension.- 4. Regulation and Role of Myocardial Collagen Matrix Remodeling in Hypertensive Heart Disease.- 5. Ultrasonic Reflectivity of the Heart: A Measure of Fibrosis?.- 6. Local Angiotensin II and Myocardial Fibrosis.- 7. Left Ventricular Anatomy and Function in Primary Aldosteronism and Renovascular Hypertension.- Session II: Pathophysiological and Molecular Aspects.- 8. Hypertension Differentially Affects the Expression of the Gap Junction Protein Connexin43 in Cardiac Myocytes and Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells.- 9. Modulation of Cardiac Hypertrophy by Estrogens.- 10. Salt Sensitivity and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.- 11. Volume Overload, Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.- 12. The Renin-Angiotensin System Gene Polymorphism and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.- 13. Renin-Angiotensin System Gene Polymorphisms and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: The Case against an Association.- Session III: Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Aspects.- 14. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Arterial Hypertrophy.- 15. Relationship between Cardiac Hypertrophy and Microalbuminuria.- 16. Physiological versus Pathological Hypertrophy: The Athlete and the Hypertensive.- 17. Bradykinin and Cardiac Protection.- 18. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Sympathetic Activity.- 19. Hypertension, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and Heart Rate Variability.- 20. Comparison of Meta-Analyses of Therapeutic Studies on Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.- 21. Comparison of Therapeutic Studies on Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy.- 22. Prognostic Significance of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Regression.- Session IV: Myocardial Ischemia.- 23. Hypertension and Coronary Microvascular Disease.- 24. Myocardial Perfusion in Hypertensive Patients with Normal Coronary Arteries.- 25. Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension.- 26. Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertensives: An Uncertain Association.- 27. Hypertension, Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, and Coronary Flow Reserve.- 28. Hypertensive Heart Disease, Ventricular Dysrhythmias, and Sudden Death.- 29. Hypertension and Heart Failure.- Speakers.

This book addresses all aspects of white coat hypertension the phenomenon of raised blood pressure in a medical setting yet not elsewhere from its history to its pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. White coat hypertension is a common condition, accounting for 30 40% of the overall hypertensive population. While many studies have addressed this condition, controversy still exists over whether it causes an increased risk to sufferers and should be treated.

In the volume neurogenic and non-neurogenic mechanisms are discussed and the significance of various predictive factors, evaluated. The association of white coat hypertension with dysmetabolic risk factors, new-onset diabetes and other conditions is carefully reviewed. Further chapters consider the occurrence of asymptomatic organ damage and cardiovascular outcomes in affected patients and helpful guidance is also provided on the controversial issue of when to treat and when not to treat. "White Coat Hypertension" is based largely on work done during the past 30 years by renowned researchers working in Milan, who have made key contributions in improving knowledge of the condition and whose work is well known across the world."

The percentage of the population which is elderly has been increasing steadily in many countries in the world; and as this tendency continues, the question of how to treat the elderly rises in importance. The problem of how to manage hypertension in the elderly has become one of the most important issues in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. However, not many of the cIinical studies performed so far to evaluate the effects of antihypertensive drug treatment have incIuded the elderly. Many important problems remain unsolved. How much bene- ficial effect can be expected from active antihypertensive drug treatment in the elderly? How can isolated systolic hypertension, which is fre- quently encountered in the elderly, have better prognosis when treated? When is drug treatment indicated, to what level should blood pressure be reduced and maintained in the e1derly, and how should drugs be selected? The elderly also frequently bear other medical problems, either re- cognized or unrecognized, such as mental depression, respiratory problems, infection, malignant neoplasms, and water and electrolyte im- balances. The body's ability to eliminate drugs also decreases with age and necessitates modified dosage. The 12th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hyperten- sion held in Kyoto, Japan on May 22-26, 1988 incIuded the satelIite symposium. "How Should Elderly Hypertensive Patients Be Treated?" wh ich focused on the pathophysiology and outcome of elderly hyperten- sive patients.

Left ventricular hypertrophy represents one of the most common complications of the hypertensive state. Indeed, since the Framigham Heart Study, several epidemiological studies have provided clearcut evidence that cardiac hypertrophy represents an important and independent risk factor for the hypertensive patient. Since the introduction of quantitative ultrasound techniques to evaluate cardiac function and state, the research in the field of left ventricular hypertrophy has been par- ticularly active and fruitful, allowing us to gain new information on the pathophysiology of this condition and on its diagnostic and therapeutic approach. The international symposium "Hypertension and the Heart," one of the most impor- tant meetings held on this issue in recent years, promoted by Fondazione Internazionale Menarini, dealt with cardiac hypertrophy in its structural, molecular, pathophysiological, and clinical aspects, and with related complications, such as myocardial ischemia, arrhyth- mias, and congestive heart failure. Prof. A. Zanchetti v CONTENTS Session I: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Structural Aspects and Mechanisms 1. Relations of Left Ventricular Geometry and Function to Prognosis in Hypertension ...Richard B. Devereux, Giovanni de Simone, and Mary J. Roman 2. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Arterial Compliance, and Aging ...13 Mary 1. Roman, Antonello Ganau, Pier Sergio Saba, and Richard B. Devereux 3. Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Arterial Blood Pressure in Experimental Models of Hypertension ...23 ...

On the occasion of the symposium on Hypertension in Postmenopausal Women (Monte Carlo, January 19-22, 1994), international scientists and clinicians discussed the various aspects of high blood pressure in older women. This volume presents an overview of this important aspect of both cardiology and gynecology. Special emphasis is given to the different approaches to antihypertension treatment.

This book addresses all aspects of white coat hypertension – the phenomenon of raised blood pressure in a medical setting yet not elsewhere – from its history to its pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. White coat hypertension is a common condition, accounting for 30–40% of the overall hypertensive population. While many studies have addressed this condition, controversy still exists over whether it causes an increased risk to sufferers and should be treated. In the volume neurogenic and non-neurogenic mechanisms are discussed and the significance of various predictive factors, evaluated. The association of white coat hypertension with dysmetabolic risk factors, new-onset diabetes and other conditions is carefully reviewed. Further chapters consider the occurrence of asymptomatic organ damage and cardiovascular outcomes in affected patients and helpful guidance is also provided on the controversial issue of when to treat and when not to treat. White Coat Hypertension is based largely on work done during the past 30 years by renowned researchers working in Milan, who have made key contributions in improving knowledge of the condition and whose work is well known across the world.