The cardiovascular system at a glance

This concise and accessible text provides an integrated overview of the cardiovascular system - considering the basic sciences which underpin the system and applying this knowledge to clinical practice and therapeutics. A general introduction to the cardiovascular system is followed by chapters on key topics such as anatomy and histology, blood and body fluids, biochemistry, excitation-contraction coupling, form and function, integration and regulation, pathology and therapeutics, clinical examination and investigation - all supported by clinical cases for self-assessment. Highly visual colour illustrations complement the text and consolidate learning.

The Cardiovascular System at a Glance is the perfect introduction and revision aid to understanding the heart and circulation and now also features:

An additional chapter on pulmonary hypertension Even more simplified illustrations to aid easier understanding Reorganized and revised chapters for greater clarity Brand new and updated clinical case studies illustrating clinical relevance and for self-assessment

The fourth edition of The Cardiovascular System at a Glance is an ideal resource for medical students, whilst students of other health professions and specialist cardiology nurses will also find it invaluable. Examination candidates who need an authoritative, concise, and clinically relevant guide to the cardiovascular system will find it extremely useful.

A companion website featuring cases from this and previous editions, along with additional summary revision aids, is available at www.ataglanceseries.com/cardiovascular .

Author Notes

Philip Aaronson is Reader in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at King's College, London

Jeremy Ward is Head of Department of Physiology and Professor of Respiratory Cell Physiology at King's College, London

Michelle Connolly is Academic Foundation Doctor at the Royal Free Hospital, London

Preface	p. 6
Recommended reading	p. 6
Acknowledgements	p. 7
List of abbreviations	p. 8
Introduction
1 Overview of the cardiovascular system	p. 10
Anatomy and histology
2 Gross anatomy and histology of the heart	p. 12
3 Vascular anatomy	p. 14
4 Vascular histology and smooth muscle cell ultrastructure	p. 16
Blood and body fluids
5 Constituents of blood	p. 18
6 Erythropoiesis, haemoglobin and anaemia	p. 20
7 Haemostasis	p. 22
8 Thrombosis and anticoagulants	p. 24
9 Blood groups and transfusions	p. 26
Cellular physiology
10 Membrane potential, ion channels and pumps	p. 28
11 Electrophysiology of cardiac muscle and origin of the heart beat	p. 30
12 Cardiac muscle excitation-contraction coupling	p. 32
13 Electrical conduction system in the heart	p. 34
14 The electrocardiogram	p. 36
15 Vascular smooth muscle excitation-contraction coupling	p. 38
Form and function
16 Cardiac cycle	p. 40
17 Control of cardiac output	p. 42
18 Haemodynamics	p. 44
19 Blood pressure and flow in the arteries and arterioles	p. 46
20 The microcirculation and lymphatic system, and diapedesis	p. 48
21 Fluid filtration in the microcirculation	p. 50
22 The venous system	p. 52
23 Local control of blood flow	p. 54
24 Regulation of the vasculature by the endothelium	p. 56
25 The coronary, cutaneous and cerebral circulations	p. 58
26 The pulmonary, skeletal muscle and fetal circulations	p. 60
Integration and regulation
27 Cardiovascular reflexes	p. 62
28 Autonomic control of the cardiovascular system	p. 64
29 The control of blood volume	p. 66
30 Cardiovascular effects of exercise	p. 68
31 Shock and haemorrhage	p. 70
History, examination and investigations
32 History and examination of the cardiovascular system	p. 72
33 Cardiovascular investigations	p. 74
Pathology and therapeutics
34 Risk factors for cardiovascular disease	p. 76
35 ß-Blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and Ca 2+ channel blockers	p. 78
36 Hyperlipidaemias	p. 80
37 Atherosclerosis	p. 82
38 Treatment of hypertension	p. 84
39 Mechanisms of primary hypertension	p. 86
40 Stable and variant angina	p. 88
41 Pharmacological management of stable and variant angina	p. 90
42 Acute coronary syndromes: Unstable angina and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction	p. 92
43 Revascularization	p. 94
44 Pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction	p. 96
45 Acute coronary syndromes: ST segment elevation myocardial infarction	p. 98
46 Heart failure	p. 100
47 Treatment of chronic heart failure	p. 102
48 Mechanisms of arrhythmia	p. 104
49 Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias	p. 106
50 Ventricular tachyarrhythmias and non-pharmacological treatment of arrhythmias	p. 108
51 Pharmacological treatment of arrhythmias	p. 110
52 Pulmonary hypertension	p. 112
53 Diseases of the aortic valve	p. 114
54 Diseases of the mitral valve	p. 116
55 Genetic and congenital heart disease	p. 118
Self-assessment
Case studies and questions	p. 120
Case studies answers	p. 123
Index	p. 126

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Author Notes

Table of Contents