Fig. 2.1 Progressive decrease of overall yearly mortality in successive heart failure (HF) trials, where beta-blockers (beta Bl) [12–14] and, later, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) [15] were tested. Notably, over…
Fig. 5.1 In physiological conditions, different opposing positive and negative feedback mechanisms, such as baroreceptors and vagal and sympathetic afferents, in addition to central integration, promote neural control of the…
Fig. 1.1 Pathogenesis of heart failure (Mann and Bristow [10]) However, it is important to recognize that this knowledge and understanding evolved over the past two to three decades. Early…
Miscellaneous Respiratory Infections Introduction The diseases described in the previous chapters of this atlas are all prevalent throughout the world, although their incidence may vary somewhat between different regions. However,…
Bronchiectasis Introduction Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition with irreversible dilatation and destruction of bronchi commonly diagnosed by high resolution CT scan of the chest. Before the establishment of this technique…
Tuberculosis Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infective granulomatous disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one-third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and TB accounts…
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Introduction Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible airflow limitation as a result of small airway disease and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), most commonly related…
Community-Acquired Pneumonia Introduction Internationally, community-acquired pneumonia is a common problem both for community and hospital physicians. It occurs with an annual incidence of about 5-11 per 1,000 adult population and…
Pneumonia in the Severely Immunocompromised Patient Introduction Lung infection in patients with suppressed or impaired immune function is a common clinical problem. The majority of these patients have relatively impaired…
Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia Introduction Pneumonia is one of the commonest of the ‘nosocomial infections’, that is, infections which are acquired by patients as a result of their stay in hospital. The…
