Introduction: Heart Failure as a Public Problem SECTION 1 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY of the MYOCARDIUM: Cellular Physiology of the Myocyte Contraction. Cardiac Interstitium. Biological Determinents of Myocardial Function. Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Myocardium, Growth & Hypertrophy. Molecular Genetics of Cardiomyopathies. ATP Synthesis in the Normal and Failing Heart. Myocardial Mechanics. Remodelling, Hibernation and Stunning.
Neurohormonal Receptors in the Failing Heart. SECTION II PATHOPHYSIOLOGY of the CIRCULATION: Humoral Control of the Kidney During Congestive Heart Failure: Role of Cardiac Natriuretic Peptides and Angiotensin II. Pathogenesis of Salt and Water Retention in the Congestive Heart Failure Syndrome. Endothelial Factors. Regional Vascular Control. Sympathetic Nervous System. Vasoactive Hormone Systems. Skeletal Muscle Abnormalities.
Involvement of the Lungs. Syndrome of Cardiac Cachexia. SECTION III CLINICAL ASPECTS of HEART FAILURE: History, Definition and Classification of Heart Failures. Epidemiology of Heart Failure in the United States. Epidemiology of Heart Failure in Europe . Syndrome of Chronic Heart Failure: Origin of Symptoms. Valvular Heart Disease. Hypertension and Cardiac Hypertrophy.
Diastolic Heart Failure. Heart Failure During Pregnancy. Hyperactive Cardiomyopathy. Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathies and Specific Heart Muscle Diseases SECTION IV DIAGNOSIS, EVALUATION and PROGNOSIS: Prognostic Factors. Roleof Exercise Testing. Role of Echocardiography in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiomyopathies. Radionuclide Methods.
Endomyocardial Biopsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomogrpahy and Positron Emission Tomography. SECTION V THERAPY: Acute Ischemic Heart Failure. Chronic Heart Failure: Diagnosis and Management. Pediatric Heart Failure: Pathophysiology, Clinical Presentation, And Treatment. Heart Failure in Elderly Patients: Focus on Diastolic Dysfunction. Large Trials an D Meta-Analysis. Nonpharmacologic Interventions.
Diuretic Therapy. Cardiac Glycosides. Vasodilator Therapy. Drugs for Heart Failure that Interfere with the Renin-Angiotensin System. Positive Inotropic Therapy. Beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonists. Calcium Channel Blockers. Management of Arrhythmias in Patients with Heart Failure: Evaluation and Treatment with Drugs and Devices.
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Agents. Surgery for Chronic Heart Failure. Candidates for Heart Transplantation: Selectionand Management. Managing Heart Failure with Transplantation, Ventricular Assist Devices, And Cardiomyoplasty. Management of Refractory Heart Failure. Future Directions in the Treatment of Heart Failure.