Cardiovascular drug therapy has markedly progressed in the recent decades. Not only have new drugs been introduced to clinical practice, but new classes of drugs have been developed. While in 1960 the practicing cardiolo gist had a selection of about only ten drugs, in 1987 about 150 drugs are routinely used in cardiovascular diseases. Elderly patients, however, usually do not enjoy the full benefit of this progress. This might be due to lack of knowledge, a conservative approach, or the w...

Initiated in 1975, the Eberbach/Wiesloch Study is a prospective preventive study modeled after the Cardiovascular Comprehensive Community Central Programme of the WHO, with the aim of lowering the incidence of cardiac infarctions in a population representative of that of the Federal Republic of Germany. Part of the study is devoted to a description of smoking habits, and in particular, of the effect of cigarette smoking on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels. Important components of this i...

To give an update in the field of haemostasis scientists and clinicians fromoverseas and European countries met to dis- cuss the new trends in pathophysiology and clinical impli- cations. This book is devoted to the interactions of endo- thelial functions, tissue factors, coagulation inhibitors and haemostasis as well as detection and prophylaxis of thromboembolism. Data are presented of significant new re- search work on molecular and clinical approaches to diseases in haemostasis.

In 1993 three institutes belonging respectively to the Heidelberg Academy for Humanities and Sciences, to the Russian Academy of Sciences, and to the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, launched a cooperative research project. The main aim of the project is to develop mathematical methodologies needed for better information support in health policy decision-making in the area of primary health care provision for the Russian populations affected by radiation due to the Chernobyl accident. ...

CINDI is an European intervention programme against major noncommunicable diseases (NCD). 12 European countries, Canada, and Israel are participating in the programme which is coordinated by the World Health Organization. The book discribes the baseline situation in the countries prior to the start of the programme. Trends in the premature mortality of some major NCDsare given as well as the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs in the population (high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure,...

Numerous new and important findings relating to the reconstruction of disturbed circulatory conditions in the coronary area are reported in this book. Fundamental aspects of therapeutic and prophylactic possibilities are covered in detail. Recommendations are then made to practitioners and clinicians for their everyday work. Critical standards for the indications and risks of the recommended procedures are given. Particular emphasis is laid on the possibilities for revascularization by mea...

International experts review the molecular biology of ion channels, diseases of the central nervous system including Alzheimer's disease, the molecular biology of atherogenesis, plasma lipproteins, lipid transport, long chain fatty acid transport and metabolism, and lipoprotein receptors. Future directions and perspectives and common features in these important areas are discussed.

The prevalence of hypertension is almost three times as high as that of diabetes mellitus type 2, with both conditions being major risk factors for stroke, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. The exact prevalence of hypertension related to hormonal derangements (endocrine hypertension) is not known but estimated to affect less than 15% of hypertensive patients. Recent scientific discoveries have increased the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of h...

The book discusses recent findings and current perspectives on therapeutic angiogenesis. Studies have shown that therapies such as cell implantation and transfer of gene encoding for angiogenic growth factors are effective in improving symptoms in patients with critical limb ischemia, who previously had no treatment option other than amputation. The book discusses these therapies and presents data collected in clinical studies over the past decade.Despite significant advances in th...