Cardiovascular Disease

This book provides a comprehensive overview of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and associated conditions. Chapters address such topics as the role of obesity in CVD, cardiotoxicity, cardio-oncology, CVD in different disease states, modalities for detecting CVD, interventional strategies to prevent or treat CVD, and much more.

The second edition of this book updates, reviews, and discusses the latest findings on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of cardiovascular disease in the older patient. It explains the physiological changes associated with the normal aging process that may lead to the development of disease, to adverse consequences once disease develops, and which alter the risk-benefit equation for medical and other interventions designed to diagnose, assess, and treat cardiovascular disease. Chapters address key issues in the management of cardiovascular disease in the elderly including prevention, coronary artery disease, valvular disease, hypertensive disease, arrhythmias, and interventions. Wherever possible, the authors take an evidence-based approach to recommendations and rely heavily on clinical trials. The value of lifestyle changes in the aging population, the use of primary and secondary prevention strategies, treatments, and complications are also discussed.

The availability of well-defined genetic strains and the ability to create transgenic and knockout mice makes mouse models extremely valuable biomedical tools. Their suitability as an experimental system for cardiovascular research depends on the individual investigator’s ability to manipulate the mice surgically. Many mouse models require microsurgical techniques, which hitherto could not be performed without practical training. This comprehensive handbook enables scientists to develop these models in their own laboratories.