This book provides updated knowledge on the basic features and mechanisms of cellular aging established since its first manifestation at cellular level 40 years ago. Contributions of genetic and environmental factors, failure of genetic and cellular repair mechanisms, and the epigenetic modifications determine the final lifespan of cells. This book also provides an understanding on how aging mechanisms in mice, a most frequently used model, differ with that of humans who receive better tumor surveillance because of stringent controls on aging mechanisms. It also appraises the use of modern technology for aging studies and its intervention. This book serves as an excellent reading on cellular aging for undergraduate students, researchers and experts of this area.

Echocardiography has now reached its maturity and plays a key role in the clinical assessment of cardiac function. However, its ability to assess myocardial perfusion remains a clinical challenge.

Myocardial contrast echocardiography is a technique that uses microbubbles. These microbubbles remain entirely within the intravascular space and their presence in any myocardial region denotes the status of microvascular perfusion within that region. During the last few years, a large number of research studies have been dedicated to this topic. The latest developments in echocardiographic techniques and second-generation contrast agents allow for the potential assessment of myocardial perfusion and provide an accurate endocardial border delineation.

In the present book, these new echocardiographic techniques dedicated to the assessment of myocardial perfusion are described in detail by experts from both sides of the Atlantic. Tips and tricks are included, explaining the basic concepts that are needed to understand and perform contrast echocardiography.

Ultrasound contrast is rapidly becoming an integral part of echocardiography, the technique most widely used to image the heart. This book is the result of the authors' combined experience in research into the agents and their associated imaging techniques and in clinical application of contrast echocardiography over a period of ten years. Its aim is to provide the clinical echocardiographer with a complete guide and reference for performing and interpreting a contrast echo study. The copious illustrations accompanying the text are supplemented by the generous contributions of more than a dozen worldwide authorities who have provided cases that convincingly demonstrate the general applicability of this new technology.