During the last decade we have witnessed a rapid expansion of our knowledge of the role of the endothelium in the control of vascular tone and hemostasis. In paricular, developments in molecular biology have enabled us to understand its physiology in greater detail. Furthermore, it is now clear that dysfunction of the endothelium contributes to various cardiovascular diseases. This is especially true for the coronary vascular bed. Development of atherosclerosis, disturbed vasomotor tone in stable ischemic syndromes, and the interaction of thrombocytes with the endothelium in acute ischemic syndrome are all consequences of endothelium dysfunction. Also, secondary changes in endothelial function have been described, for instance in chronic heart failure. This monograph reviews the present knowledge of the role of the endothelium in the control of coronary flow. The authors lead the reader through this topic starting at the basic physiology of endothelial function and the principles of coronary flow regulation. Next, the use of modern clinical techniques to evaluate endothelial function such as positron emission tomography and angioscopy are discussed. Subsequently, several pathophysiological processes and the role of endothelium are addressed. Finally, the interaction of various presently used cardiovascular drugs with the endothelium is indicated. It is the combination of basic sciences with clinical observations in this book which may be appreciated by a large number of scientists and physicians active in the field of cardiovascular disease. It is also this combination of different disciplines which will determine future developments and new avenues in pharmacotherapy involving the endothelium.

The attack of atrial fibrillation experienced by President Bush of the United States attracted more attention from the general public to atrial fibrillation than ever before. Also, there is a growing body of knowledge of the pathophysiologic mechanism, the pathology and epidemiology, and especially of the thrombo-embolic complications of this arrhythmia, which is responsible for a renewed interest of the clinician in this very common human arrhythmia. These new perspectives on atrial fibrillation were presented during a conference on Atrial Fibrillation, a Treatable Disease?', organized on May 7, 1992, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Atrial fibrillation is not the prerogative of the cardiologist only. Many practitioners from other areas in health care, in particular general physicians, internists and neurologists, are faced with this arrhythmia and its untoward consequences. This book bridges the gap between theory, experiment and the clinic. Emphasis is therefore on the selection of the optimal approach, including pharmacotherapy, catheter ablation, pacemaker and surgical therapy, based on the current scientific insights in the mechanism and prevention of atrial fibrillation.

In Groningen there has been a continuous investigation of hypertrophic cardio myopathy for almost twenty years. Members of this working-group have tried to study the many aspects of this intriguing disease, and it is in this volume that they present their recent results and current concepts (chapters 2, 3, 5 and 6). A contribution from the Dutch interuniversity Institute of Cardiology presenting a detailed account of evaluation by means of radionuclide techniques completes the non-invasive picture of cardiomyopathies (chapter 4). On July 6th, 1984, a symposium entitled 'Recent views on hypertrophic cardio myopathy' was held at the University Hospital Groningen. The main reason to organize this meeting was the retirement of one of our working-group members, namely E. van der Wall, as head of the cardiological department. The speakers at the symposium presented their lectures based on their contributions to this book. It is an honour for us to have obtained their full cooperation for this book and for the symposium. We are very grateful that this Groningen manifestation could include the outstanding contributions of several well-known experts from abroad. We there fore thank our colleagues Profs. Epstein, Goodwin, Kaltenbach and Schulte for their spontaneous and valuable cooperation (chapters 1, 7,8 and 9). Thanks to their efforts especially, this book has acquired the international character that the study of this subject deserves."

A unique overview of all major angiographic lipid intervention trials, presented by their principal investigators. Basic mechanisms and methodological aspects, including biochemical as well as angiographic aspects, are discussed by experts in these fields. A careful comparison of all available data permits an analysis to be made of what may currently be considered proved, which aspects merit further investigation, and which hypotheses should be rejected. Audience: Clinicians involved in the practice of lipid lowering and investigators involved in lipid-lowering clinical trials. Scientists involved in other areas of lipid research and investigators conducting coronary angiographic trials designed to study the influence of different interventions will find a wealth of information and practical guidelines in this book.

During the last decade we have witnessed a rapid expansion of our knowledge of the role of the endothelium in the control of vascular tone and hemostasis. In paricular, developments in molecular biology have enabled us to understand its physiology in greater detail. Furthermore, it is now clear that dysfunction of the endothelium contributes to various cardiovascular diseases. This is especially true for the coronary vascular bed. Development of atherosclerosis, disturbed vasomotor tone in stable ischemic syndromes, and the interaction of thrombocytes with the endothelium in acute ischemic syndrome are all consequences of endothelium dysfunction. Also, secondary changes in endothelial function have been described, for instance in chronic heart failure. This monograph reviews the present knowledge of the role of the endothelium in the control of coronary flow. The authors lead the reader through this topic starting at the basic physiology of endothelial function and the principles of coronary flow regulation. Next, the use of modern clinical techniques to evaluate endothelial function such as positron emission tomography and angioscopy are discussed. Subsequently, several pathophysiological processes and the role of endothelium are addressed. Finally, the interaction of various presently used cardiovascular drugs with the endothelium is indicated. It is the combination of basic sciences with clinical observations in this book which may be appreciated by a large number of scientists and physicians active in the field of cardiovascular disease. It is also this combination of different disciplines which will determine future developments and new avenues in pharmacotherapy involving the endothelium.