H.-D. Bolte – författare

Since the last meeting "Myocardial Biopsy - Diagnostic Signifi­ cance" was held under the auspices of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC) in Munich, many new data and new aspects have been developed in the field of myocardial dis­ eases. Most importantly, the classification of cardiomyopathies and specific heart muscle diseases, as described in the report of the WHO-ISFC task force (see reference 1 in the Introduction), is now widely accepted as a basis for clinical practice and scientific work. Investigators from all over the world have again assembled un­ der the auspices of the ISFC at an international workshop on viral heart disease and its implications with regard to congestive cardio­ myopathy, which was held in Munich January 1983. This book con­ tains the significant results of the workshop. For practical use, the authors have incorporated important points made in the discussions into their contributions and a subject index has been provided. First of all I should like to thank Professor Riecker, Director of the Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Grol3hadern, University of Mu­ nich, West Germany. Without his friendly support in many aspects, this meeting would not have been possible. I should like to thank Professor Goodwin and Dr. Olsen from the ISFC for their active participation and advice in organizing the meeting. Last but not least, I am particularely grateful to all the contributors, whose co­ operation has made this book possible.

The diagnostic relevance of results, obtained by myocardial biopsy has not yet been defined. This book is the outcome of an international meeting which took place in July 1978 to assess the importance of myocardial biopsy. The meeting was organized under the auspicies of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology, and speak­ ers from many parts of Europe were invited to report on their ex­ perience with this new technique. The special aim was to correlate myocardial biopsy results with clinical and hemodynamic data in different myocardial diseases and to outline the relevance of myo­ cardial biopsy techniques for morphological, morphometric, im­ munologic and biochemical purposes. Most of the essential parts of the discussions has been included in the text of the contributors. I should like to express my gratitude to Professor J.F. Goodwin, Professor E.GJ. Olsen, and Professor G. Riecker, who acted as chair­ men and to all the participants of the workshop. I should particu­ larely like to thank Professor G. Riecker who encouraged the search for new ideas and insight into disease processes. I should like to acknowledge gratefully the generous financial support given by Pharma Schwarz, Monheim, West-Germany. In addition I am particularely grateful to the Springer-Verlag, who has arranged this edition accurately, including special intentions of the editor.

The diagnostic relevance of results, obtained by myocardial biopsy has not yet been defined. This book is the outcome of an international meeting which took place in July 1978 to assess the importance of myocardial biopsy. The meeting was organized under the auspicies of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology, and speak­ ers from many parts of Europe were invited to report on their ex­ perience with this new technique. The special aim was to correlate myocardial biopsy results with clinical and hemodynamic data in different myocardial diseases and to outline the relevance of myo­ cardial biopsy techniques for morphological, morphometric, im­ munologic and biochemical purposes. Most of the essential parts of the discussions has been included in the text of the contributors. I should like to express my gratitude to Professor J.F. Goodwin, Professor E.GJ. Olsen, and Professor G. Riecker, who acted as chair­ men and to all the participants of the workshop. I should particu­ larely like to thank Professor G. Riecker who encouraged the search for new ideas and insight into disease processes. I should like to acknowledge gratefully the generous financial support given by Pharma Schwarz, Monheim, West-Germany. In addition I am particularely grateful to the Springer-Verlag, who has arranged this edition accurately, including special intentions of the editor.

Beta-Rezeptorenblocker sind aus dem therapeutischen Arsenal zur Be- hand lung zahlreicher Erkrankungen nicht mehr wegzudenken. Die Be- miihung urn eine prazisere differentialtherapeutische Anwendung dieser Pharmaka-Gruppe, einschlie13lich der Erarbeitung von Dosierungsvor- schlagen und der Erkennung von therapeutischen Alternativen im Hin- blick auf Nebenwirkungen und Kontraindikationen, fUhrte eine Viel- zahl von Referenten aus dem In- und Ausland (U.S.A., England, Schweiz, Schweden) zu einem Symposion im November 1980 zusam- men. Mit dem Ziel, die praktische Anwendung von Beta-Rezeptorenblok- kern verstandlicher zu mach en und die therapeutische Sicherheit zu erh6hen, wurden zunachst pharmakologische Grundlagen und klinisch- pharmakologische Untersuchungsbefunde er6rtert. Ein wei teres wichti- ges Anliegen war es, M6glichkeiten und Grenzen, Nutzen und Risiko einer Therapie mit diesen Substanzen bei einzelnen Krankheiten aufzu- zeigen. Die Autoren der einzelnen Beitrage haben sich dankenswerterweise der Miihe unterzogen, ihre Manuskripte fUr die Publikation zu iiber- arbeiten und Anregungen und Erganzungen aus der Diskussion einzube- ziehen.Zusatzliche wichtige Gesichtspunkte aus der Diskussion wurden von den Herausgebern zusammengefaBt und sind am SchluB des Buches dargestellt. Dank und Anerkennung gebiihrt allen Mitarbeitern dieses Buches. Ferner danken wir den Damen und Herren des Springer-Verlages, ins- besondere Herrn Dr. Wieczorek und Herrn H. lakobi, fUr die ausge- zeichnete Zusammenarbeit.