Atherosclerosis, Large Arteries and Cardiovascular Risk (Advances in Cardiology, Vol. 44)

This book presents the current thinking of international experts regarding the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular risk as well as the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of impaired large arterial stiffness and reduced large arterial distensibility. It also demonstrates the rationale for the present approach to the management and treatment of hypertensive diseases and atherosclerosis. The targeted readership includes basic scientists in vascular physiology as well as physicians and scientists in cardiovascular medicine, diabetes mellitus and renal diseases. Pathophysiology -- Arterial Stiffness: A Simplified Overview In Vascular Medicine -- Aging And Arterial Structure-function Relations -- Local Elasticity Imaging Of Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Coronary Plaques -- Endothelial Function, Mechanical Stress And Atherosclerosis -- Arterial Stiffness And Extracellular Matrix -- Animal Models Of Arterial Stiffness -- Arterial Stiffness, Atherosclerosis And End-organ Damage -- Blood Pressure, Large Arteries And Atherosclerosis -- Arterial Stiffness And Coronary Ischemic Disease -- Central Pulse Pressure And Atherosclerotic Alterations Of Coronary Arteries -- Does Brachial Pulse Pressure Predict Coronary Events? -- Does Arterial Stiffness Predict Atherosclerotic Coronary Events? -- Carotid Atherosclerosis, Arterial Stiffness And Stroke Events -- Atherosclerosis Versus Arterial Stiffness In Advanced Renal Failure -- Arterial Stiffness And Peripheral Arterial Disease -- Arterial Stiffness, Atherosclerosis And Cardiovascular Risk Factors -- Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Atherosclerosis And Pulse Pressure -- Pulse Pressure And Inflammatory Process In Atherosclerosis -- Calcifications, Arterial Stiffness And Atherosclerosis -- Diabetes And Arterial Stiffening -- Insulin Resistance, Arterial Stiffness And Wave Reflection -- Cholesterol, Lipids And Arterial Stiffness -- Homocysteine And Large Arteries -- Therapeutic Aspects -- Nitrates, Arterial Function, Wave Reflections And Coronary Heart Disease -- Modulation Of Atherosclerosis, Blood Pressure And Arterial Elasticity By Statins -- Atherosclerosis, Arterial Stiffness And Antihypertensive Drug Therapy. Volume Editors, Michel E. Safar, Edward D. Frohlich. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.

Arterial stiffness is now firmly established as an important and independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. The structural and functional changes of the large arteries may be age-related, but a number of conditions have been associated with accelerated arterial stiffening including the hypertensive diseases, atherosclerosis, end-stage renal disease, and traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus and smoking. This book presents the current thinking of international experts regarding the underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular risk, and the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of large arterial stiffness and reduced large arterial distensibility. It not only gives new insights into the relationship between arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis, but also establishes the possible interactions with age and other cardiovascular factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Finally, the therapeutic means of approaching arterial stiffness are analyzed in detail and new perspectives for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases are developed. Authoritative and up-to-date, this book is a valuable resource for basic scientists interested in vascular physiology and pathophysiology, for clinicians in the areas of cardiology, diabetes and renal diseases, as well as for investigators in drug development.