Atherosclerosis [antikvár]

Introduction Atherosclerosis is the most common disease that afflicts Western society. It is the underlying cause of most cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular insufficiency. The number of deaths related to cardiovascular disease in the United States is very nearly one million per year; more than one half of these are caused by coronary artery disease that is directly attributed to atherosclerosis. This monograph is intended to provide the practicing physician (or physician-to-be) with a current view of research and treatment in the field of atherosclerosis. Each of the authors is both an investigator and a practitioner - each is involved not only in research but also with clinical problems on a daily basis. This dual role gives the authors a highly personal perspective which is reflected in the sections of the monograph. This monograph is, therefore, far more personal than a standard textbook and some of the concepts and interpretations are controversial. However, an effort was made to distinguish between information about which there is a general consensus and that which is still speculative. The first section of the monograph considers the diagnosis and management of risk factors. In effect, it deals with the question so frequently asked by patients-"What can I do to prevent atherosclerosis?"-but emphasizes that we do not yet have a definitive, scientific experiment which establishes that reduction of risk factors can reduce cardiovascular mortality. The second section reviews the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Because coronary artery disease is one of the most commonly encountered clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis, special emphasis is given to this condition. Other sections discuss the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and the medical treatment of stable angina pectoris. Finally, comprehensive consideration is given to surgical treatment, including a description of the various patterns and clinical presentations of atherosclerosis.