Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Heart

'It is a book worth reading and presents an outstanding overview about the present day knowledge in this field which has been thankfully put together in this edited version by Sperelakis. This book deserves to be recommended for those who are interested in the biochemistry, biochemical physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of the heart.' Heart and Circulation, 17:9 (1985)

• CARDIAC MUSCLE.- 1. Ultrastructure of Mammalian Cardiac Muscle.- 2. Basic Pathological Processes of the Heart: Relationship to Cardiomyopathies.- 3. Basis of the Resting Potential.- 4. Ionic Basis of Electrical Activity in the Heart.- 5. Role of Calcium-Activated Ion Currents in the Heart.- 6. Electrogenesis of the Pacemaker Potential as Revealed by Atrioventricular Nodal Experiments.- 7. A Matrical Perspective of Cardiac Excitability, Cable Properties, Impulse Propagation.- 8. The Electrocardiogram and Its Relationship to Excitation of the Heart.- 9. The Slow Action Potential and Properties of the Myocardial Slow Ca Channels.- 10. Excitation-Contraction Coupling: Relationship of Slow Inward Current to Contraction.- 11. Role of Na-Ca Exchange in Heart.- 12. Calculated Transsarcolemmal Calcium Movements in Cardiac Muscle.- 13. Uptake of Calcium by Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and Its Regulation and Functional Consequences.- 14. Control and Modulation of Contractile Activity of Cardiac Myofilaments.- 15. Contractile and Mechanical Properties of the Myocardium.- 16. Substrate and Energy Metabolism of the Heart.- 17. Autonomic Neural Control of Cardiac Function.- 18. Development of Postjunctional Cardiac Autonomic Receptors and their Regulation of Cardiac Function During Fetal and Neonatal Life.- 19. Developmental Changes in Alpha-Adrenergic Modulation of Cardiac Rhythm.- 20. Mechanisms of Adrenergic and Cholinergic Regulation of Myocardial Contractility.- 21. Pharmacology of Cardiac Glycosides.- 22. Effects of and the Mechanism of Action of Calcium Antagonists and Other Antianginal Agents.- 23. Cellular Electrophysiology and Ischemia.- 24. Mechanism of Action of Antiarrhythmic Drugs.- 25. Calcium and the Injured Cardiac Myocyte.- 26. Cell Coupling and Healing-Over in Cardiac Muscle.- 27. Action of Natural Toxins on Cardiac Ionic Channels.- 28. Cardiac Hypertrophy and Altered Cellular Electrical Activity of the Myocardium: Possible Electrophysiological Basis for Myocardial Contractility Changes.- 29. Developmental Changes in Membrane Electrical Properties of the Heart.- 30. Aging of the Adult Heart.- 31. Hormonal Effects on Cardiac Performance.- 32. Cardioplegia: Principles and Problems.- 33. Effects of the Volatile Anesthetic Agents on the Heart.- 34. Effects of Toxic Substances on the Heart.- II. CORONARY CIRCULATION.- 35. Vascular Smooth-Muscle Cells and Other Periendothelial Cells of Mammalian Heart.- 36. Pathogenesis of Coronary Atherosclerosis.- 37. Endothelial Cell Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 38. Electrophysiology of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 39. Electromechanical and Pharmacomechanical Coupling in Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 40. Cyclic Nucleotides and Protein Phosphorylation in Vascular Smooth-Muscle Relaxation.- 41. Vascular Muscle Membrane Properties in Hypertension.- 42. Contractile Proteins of Smooth Muscle.- Mechanical Properties and Regulation of Vascular Smooth-Muscle Contraction.- 44. Metabolism and Energetics of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 45. Control of the Coronary Circulation.- 46. Extravascular Coronary Resistance.- 47. Myocardial Infarction.- 48. Inappropriate Coronary Vasomotion: Excessive Constriction and Insufficient Dilation.