E. Kenneth Weir - Böcker

Considering various aspects of pulmonary vascular control and the pulmonary vasculature's response to injury and disease, this monograph applies recent advances in molecular biology to increasing our understanding of cell proliferation, interactions between the endothelium and smooth muscle, and the etiologies of various forms of pulmonary hypertension.In addition, this book presents important reviews of lung phylogeny, right ventricular function, high altitude pulmonary edema, plus unique discussions of areas for which there have been no previous attempts to analyze all available information, such as pregnancy, diving, hyperbaria, and exercise.Pulmonary Vascular Physiology and Pathophysiology assesses the basic mechanisms underlying pulmonary health and disease ... investigates the response of pulmonary circulation to stress and disease ... highlights the ability of lung circulation to adapt to major environmental changes and varying metabolic demands ... and contains some 2,000 citations of relevant literature.Illustrated with nearly 170 diagrams, photomicrographs, and tables, Pulmonary Vascular Physiology and Pathophysiology is a superb reference for pulmonary physiologists, cardiologists, pediatricians, cardiovascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, and cell and molecular biologists.

Birth is a sudden, traumatic transition of environments. Once the placental oxygen supply ceases, the foetus has only minutes to establish pulmonary oxygen transport, which requires not only inflation of the lungs, but also sudden and sustained changes in the lung circulation. Not long ago, research in this field was largely restricted to morphology and physiology. Now the powerful new tools of cellular and molecular biology have begun toshed light on the physiological processes in the developing lung and its supporting vasculature. In 22 chapters, three main sections explore lung growth and development, vascular cell growth and differentiation, and the mechanisms of hemodynamic control in the neonate; extensive illustrations give a comprehensive picture of pulmonary circulatory development. Factors controlling vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are described by the scientists who pioneered the field. Similarly, the intracellular signaling cascades that determine proliferation or growth inhibition of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells are also presented in an understandable manner. Finally, the role ofsubstances, such as nitric oxide and endothelin, that control the hemodynamics of the fetal and neonatal circulations are discussed in detail, particularly in relation to the changes occurring at birth.This book will inform basic scientists as well as the clinician and student, and should be of particular interest to pediatric cardiologists, pulmonary medicine physicians, and vascular biologists.

This publication is unique and ground breaking because no previous volume has focused on the mechanisms by which nitric oxide and oxygen radicals are involved in vascular pathophysiology. This book provides a current review of the use of nitric oxide to treat pulmonary hypertension, whether idiopathic or secondary to congenital heart disease. In this respect, it should be read by pediatric cardiologists. Respiratory care physicians and intensive-care specialists who study and treat ARDS or IRDS (adult or infant respiratory distress syndromes) would also benefit from this publication. This book is of particular interest to physiologists concerned with vascular biology or with the activity of nitric oxide and oxygen radicals.

A thorough exploration of the interaction between erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and the pulmonary vasculature in a variety of disease states-an important topic not addressed by other books. The lungs accommodate the entire cardiac output, and the pulmonary vessels are well known for their metabolic and endocrine functions, as well as gas exchange. The interaction of the pulmonary circulation with the cellular elements of blood has received less attention. Interactions of Blood and the Pulmonary Circulation covers many topics of interest to the clinician. In particular, chapters on sickle cell anemia provide a wealth of information on mechanisms of vascular occlusion, suggesting new approaches to treatment for the cardiologist and the pulmonary and intensive care physician. Intensivists will also enjoy the chapters on the role of leukocytes and inflammation in lung injury, and those on the contribution of platelets and thrombosis in pulmonary hypertension. The long-term management of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension is covered in detail. This book will be of special interest to pulmonary and intensive care physicians, cardiologists, hematologists, and vascular biologists.