The Role of Immune Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Disease

An involvement of the immune system is suspected in various cardiovascular diseases. Recent advances in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, and immunology have made it possible to identify several pathomechanisms. However, still more questions arise with regard to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of immunologically mediated cardiovascular diseases. In this book, leading scientists and clinicians from different areas of cardiology present the state-of-the-art knowledge on the involve ment of the immune system in myocardial and vascular diseases. In the field of myocarditis, both the virological and the immunological findings are presented, and the interactions between the virus and the immune system are discussed. Since the cellular immune system and its mediators play an important role in the inflammation by bacteria that cause endocarditis and septic shock, studies investigating the underlying pathomechanisms are de scribed. Another major topic in this volume is the involvement of the immune system in arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease, which represents an important problem in clinical cardiology. The final chapter addresses the question of therapeutic options, presenting new approaches for a specific and effective therapy based on the current knowledge of immunologically mediated cardiovascular diseases.

This book offers a unique description of different immunological aspects of myocardial disease. With contributions from numerous leading experts, the volume reflects state-of-the art knowledge in the field. The topics covered include classical aspects of inflammation in myocardial disease such as myocarditis and transplant rejection as well as arteriosclerosis. The latest therapeutic approaches to treatment are presented, making the book appeal to both scientists and clinical cardiologists. This volume presents and state-of-the-art in the involvement of the immune system in myocardial and vascular diseases. In the field of myocarditis, both virological and immunological findings are presented, and the interactions between the virus and the immune system are discussed. Since the cellular immune system and its mediators play an important role in the inflammation by bacteria that cause endocarditis and septic shock, studies investigating the underlying pathomechanisms are described. Another major topic described in the book is the involvement of the immune system in arteriosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The final chapter of the book addresses the question of therapeutic options, presenting new approaches for a specific and effective treatment.