This chapter discusses the fundamental observations that have profoundly changed our view of the adult human heart, resulting in the experimental use of stem/progenitor cells as a potential form of…

Overview Despite treatment with new drug regimens and high-risk cardiac surgery, many patients with heart failure (HF) progress to advanced stages characterized by marked symptomatic limitation and profound hemodynamic compromise….

Heart failure (HF) is a common reason for hospital admissions, especially in older adults. Most patients hospitalized for HF have previously been diagnosed with HF but have subsequently developed progressive…

Overview ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a significant health problem in industrialized countries and is becoming an increasingly significant problem in developing countries. STEMI is a clinical syndrome defined…

Stable or predictable angina on effort predominantly occurs in the setting of a fixed atherosclerotic stenosis of the coronary artery. Similar symptoms can also arise in other conditions, such as…

Overview The field of coronary revascularization was revolutionized more than 50 years ago, when the first successful coronary artery bypass surgery was performed, followed shortly thereafter by the first percutaneous…

Organic Nitrates Overview Nitroglycerin (glyceryl trinitrate [GTN]) was first synthesized in 1847 by Ascanio Sobrero, who described a “violent headache” upon self-administration of a “minute quantity” of the drug. A…

Heart failure is a growing public health problem. Over the past 2 decades, considerable advancement has occurred in the understanding of the basic pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie the clinical syndrome…

Cardiovascular disease continues to be a major health problem, estimated to be responsible for about 30% of all global deaths. Currently, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in…

Introduction to Global Challenges in Cardiovascular Disease Therapy Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the single greatest cause of death worldwide. In 2004, CVD caused an estimated 17 million deaths and…