Main description:

The coronary circulation is unique in that it is responsible for maintaining adequate oxygen and substrate delivery to the organ that generates the pressure needed to drive blood throughout the entire circulatory system. In the simplest terms, coronary blood flow is directly proportional to the arterial pressure gradient across the coronary vasculature and inversely proportional to coronary vascular resistance. However, myocardial perfusion is collectively regulated by a complex variety of mechanisms which include: (1) extravascular compressive forces; (2) diastolic time fraction; (3) coronary perfusion pressure; (4) myocardial metabolism (local metabolic factors); (5) endothelial-derived substances; (6) neuro-humoral influences; and (7) arterial oxygen tension and content. This book considers each of these determinants with particular emphasis on the functional interaction between the physical and biological determinants of myocardial perfusion. Pathophysiologic aspects of coronary atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease states are also considered.

Contents:

Abbreviations
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Basic Coronary Anatomy
Myocardial-Coronary Interaction
Arterial Pressure and Autoregulation
Local Metabolic Control
Endothelial-Dependent Control
Neural Activation and Circulating Hormones
Coronary Stenosis, Myocardial Ischemia, and Effects of Disease
Summary
Reference List
Authors' Biography