The Cardiovascular System at a Glance

Preface vii

Recommended reading viii

Sources of illustrations ix

Acknowledgements x

List of abbreviations xi

About the companion website xiii

Introduction 1

1 Overview of the cardiovascular system 2

Anatomy and histology 5

2 Gross anatomy and histology of the heart 6

3 Vascular anatomy 8

4 Vascular histology and smooth muscle cell ultrastructure 10

Blood and body fluids 13

5 Constituents of blood 14

6 Erythropoiesis, haemoglobin and anaemia 16

7 Haemostasis 18

8 Thrombosis and anticoagulants 20

9 Blood groups and transfusions 22

Cellular physiology 25

10 Membrane potential, ion channels and pumps 26

11 Electrophysiology of cardiac muscle and origin of the heartbeat 28

12 Cardiac muscle excitation–contraction coupling 30

13 Electrical conduction system in the heart 32

14 The electrocardiogram 34

15 Vascular smooth muscle excitation–contraction coupling 36

Form and function 39

16 Cardiac cycle 40

17 Control of cardiac output 42

18 Haemodynamics 44

19 Blood pressure and flow in the arteries and arterioles 46

20 The microcirculation and lymphatic system and diapedesis 48

21 Fluid filtration in the microcirculation 50

22 The venous system 52

23 Local control of blood flow 54

24 Regulation of the vasculature by the endothelium 56

25 The pulmonary, skeletal muscle and fetal circulations 58

26 The coronary, cutaneous and cerebral circulations 60

Integration and regulation 63

27 Cardiovascular reflexes 64

28 Autonomic control of the cardiovascular system 66

29 The control of blood volume 68

30 Cardiovascular effects of exercise 70

31 Shock and haemorrhage 72

History, examination and investigations 75

32 History and examination of the cardiovascular system 76

33 Cardiac imaging 78

Pathology and therapeutics 81

34 Risk factors for cardiovascular disease 82

35 β?blockers, angiotensin?converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and Ca²⁺ channel blockers 84

36 Hyperlipidaemias 86

37 Atherosclerosis 88

38 Mechanisms of primary hypertension 90

39 Treatment of hypertension 92

40 Stable, microvascular, and vasospastic angina 94

41 Pharmacological management of stable, microvascular and vasospastic angina 96

42 Non?ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE?ACS) 98

43 Coronary revascularisation 100

44 Pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction 102

45 ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 104

46 Heart failure 106

47 Treatment of chronic heart failure 108

48 Mechanisms of tachyarrhythmia 112

49 Atrial fibrillation 114

50 Other supraventricular arrhythmias 118

51 Ventricular tachyarrhythmias and their non?pharmacological management 120

52 Pharmacological treatment of tachyarrhythmias 122

53 Conduction system abnormalities and pacing 124

54 Diseases of the aortic valve 126

55 Diseases of the mitral valve 128

56 Congenital heart disease 130

57 Cardiomyopathies and channelopathies 132

58 Pulmonary hypertension 134

59 Stroke 136

Index 139