Understanding the many complex cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human vascular diseases is essential in improving the treatment of this important and wide-ranging group of diseases that affect a large proportion of the world po- lation. This book is based on lectures presented at an International Vascular Biology Workshop held in London and chaired by Professor Dame Carol Black. The c- tents are complemented by some invited chapters, all written by world experts in areas of basic science and clinical medicine highly relevant to vascular biology and disease. We are particularly grateful to Professor Arshed Quyyumi, Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at Emory University, who with his research group and clinical colleagues, has provided a substantial contribution to this book. In common with our previous book - Vascular Complications in Human Disease: Mechanisms and Consequences published by Springer in 2008, our aim with this book is to highlight some of the established relationships between basic science and clinical medicine, and to outline new and exciting fields of research and practice in vascular biology and pathobiology. There are two sections: Basic Science of Vascular Biology and Clinical Aspects of Vascular Biology. In the first section, dealing with basic science, we have included three important growth areas: "Genetics and Gene Therapy" cover approaches to gene therapy and delivery systems, "Animal Models to Study Vascular Disease" with chapters on animal models of scleroderma, animal models of atherosclerosis, and finally on the endothelin system.

Arterial disease and inflammation are fundamental causes of many medical conditions. Recently, there have been several major advances in our understanding of the causes of diseases affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin and blood vessels. The role of endothelium derived growth factors, nitric oxide and other messengers in vascular disease has been more clearly defined. New treatments targeting these molecular disorders are being used with beneficial effects. Further progress depends on a combined approach embracing basic and clinical research so that treatments of common, important diseases can be designed intelligently and logically.Vascular Complications in Human Disease presents our understanding of vascular disease, in reviews of the main strands of basic and clinical research written by leading international experts. It also identifies routes for further fruitful research and development. This concise and carefully edited book, avoiding repetition, includes the full spectrum of basic research which is not covered in other textbooks.

Translational medicine underpins vascular medicine. It is fundamental to understanding how we treat patients with vascular disease and more importantly, how to prevent it. It is the rationale for drug design and production. Vascular medicine and translational medicine will take over and become the main reason for referring patients to hospital. Therefore, hospital-based clinicians working with basic scientists need to know about translational medicine, which educates and informs them about vascular medicine and how management should be based. This book is a primer for translational vascular medicine and discusses the evolving and exciting areas of basic science applied to vascular medicine. The book is based on the third vascular biology conference held at The Royal College of Physicians in 2008. It provides a large amount of new basic and clinical information and the contributors are world leaders.

High pressure in the lungs, or pulmonary hypertension, is most commonly due to smoking-related lung disease and conditions affecting the left heart, for example, high blood pressure in the arteries, faulty heart valves, and a weakened heart muscle. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare and complex disease, associated with many different medical conditions, which is caused by a growth of cells lining the inside of the lung arteries, resulting in high pressure in areas of the body. Both conditions lead to strain and potential failure of the right heart, and therefore awareness and early diagnosis of the condition is needed to lead to better outcomes: however this depends on education of all specialists and primary care clinicians about PAH. This practical handbook covers both PH and PAH, providing information required by the wide range of clinicians who will encounter these conditions, including cardiologists, respiratory physicians, rheumatologists, specialists in liver and AIDS medicine, and haematologists. It covers what it is, who it is likely to affect, how it is diagnosed, including the pitfalls of the various diagnostic tests, the different and evolving forms of treatment, long term management of this often devastating chronic disease, and the crucial role of multidisciplinary management in optimizing clinical care of these patients who usually have multi-system diseases. It also covers the up new classification for both PH and PAH, and new drugs that have recently become available.

Understanding the many complex cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human vascular diseases is essential in improving the treatment of this important and wide-ranging group of diseases that affect a large proportion of the world po- lation. This book is based on lectures presented at an International Vascular Biology Workshop held in London and chaired by Professor Dame Carol Black. The c- tents are complemented by some invited chapters, all written by world experts in areas of basic science and clinical medicine highly relevant to vascular biology and disease. We are particularly grateful to Professor Arshed Quyyumi, Professor of Medicine and Cardiology at Emory University, who with his research group and clinical colleagues, has provided a substantial contribution to this book. In common with our previous book - Vascular Complications in Human Disease: Mechanisms and Consequences published by Springer in 2008, our aim with this book is to highlight some of the established relationships between basic science and clinical medicine, and to outline new and exciting fields of research and practice in vascular biology and pathobiology. There are two sections: Basic Science of Vascular Biology and Clinical Aspects of Vascular Biology. In the first section, dealing with basic science, we have included three important growth areas: "Genetics and Gene Therapy" cover approaches to gene therapy and delivery systems, "Animal Models to Study Vascular Disease" with chapters on animal models of scleroderma, animal models of atherosclerosis, and finally on the endothelin system.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. It is largely preventable, and can certainly be delayed by attention to established risk factors. Primary care is the natural and most appropriate location for cardiovascular prevention. This accessible and practical reference and everyday manual covers the organisation of prevention services, estimating risk and using guidelines, and examines each key area with extensive use of clinical case studies. It provides the information necessary to answer the concerns of patients on areas such as cholesterol, diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking and medication. General practitioners, practice nurses, physiotherapists, dieticians and pharmacists will find this book to be an essential aid to their daily work.

Clive Handler and Gerry Coghlan have written a book that will become essential reading for the primary care physician managing cardiac problems in the new age of medical practice. In it they give clear, concise and readable information on diagnosis, management and treatment priorities in this most important field of medicine. The book uses current evidence and follows current guidelines to direct the clinician in treating conditions seen every day in general practice. It builds confidence in understanding the role and responsibility in commissioning cardiology specialist care.The narrative is peppered with real patient problems and sections giving advice to patients in layman's language. This book will not only promote the primary care physician's ability to manage problems in-house but also guide the commissioning clinician on putting in place appropriate and efficient specialist services. An excellent text that will be a valuable addition to the libraries of all general practices. Buy more than one copy - clinicians from practice nurses, students and registrars to the most senior doctors will all find it essential reading.