This is the 3rd Course that has been organized at the presti­ gious E. Majorana Centre. The choice of the theme is not a casual one. In fact after rehabilitation and prevention which were the topics discussed in the previous courses of 1979 and 1982, this Course deals with subjects more deeply connected with the mechanisms of cardiac function and the pathological aspects that under this point of view characterize many specific diseases. The rapid development in the application of technology to the problems of Cardiological diagnosis has made it possible to study ventricular function in the evaluation of patients with apparent or suspected heart disease. Knowing that we are facing one of the most complex subjects in modern cardiology we wish to arouse the interest of researchers anrl cardiologists by comparing different experiences with the aim of giving an overall survey of the problems. The program has been divided into 4 chapters: 1. Systolic and diastolic ventricular function. 2. Specific studies of ventricular function using invasive and non­ invasive techniques. 3. Diseases with altered ventricular function. 4. Pharmacological manipulation of ventricular function. Our aim is not only to stimulate useful discussions in the faculty but also among the participants. I hope that we can achieve this. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking the co­ directors of the Course Prof. Jan Kellermann and Prof. Robert v vi PREFACE Leachman who have played an important part in the scientific organization.

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I Systolic and Diastolic Ventricular Function.- Myocardial Contractility, Afterload Mismatch and Ventricular Dysfunction.- Static and Dynamic Determinants of Left Ventricular Chamber Stiffness and Filling.- Critical Evaluation of Stress-Volume in Systole.- Discussion.- II Specific Studies of Ventricular Function Using Invasive and Non Invasive Techniques.- Exercise in Impaired Ventricular Function.- Exercise Testing in Impaired Ventricular Function.- Assessment of Cardiac Performance by Digital Angiography.- Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function in Chronic Regurgitation Before and After Valve Replacement.- Systolic Time Intervals in Coronary Artery Disease.- Effect of Propranolol and Labetalol on Left Ventricle Systolic Time Intervals and M-mode Echocardiographic Dimensions at Rest and During Exercise in Patients Suffering from Angina Pectoris.- Segmental Myocardial Wall Motion and Myocardial Ischemia.- Hemodynamic Effects of Cardiac Pacing.- Timing of Operation for Chronic Severe Aortic Regurgitation.- Pre-arranged Interventions on the Paper "Hemodynamic Effects of Cardiac Pacing".- Effects of Adrenergic Stimulation on Systolic Time Intervals in Patients with Artificial Pacemaker.- Discussion.- III Diseases with Altered Ventricular Function.- Right and Left Ventricular Function in Patients with Mitral Stenosis.- Evaluation of LV Function in Mitral Regurgitation.- Left Ventricular Function and Surgical Treatment of Mitral Regurgitation.- Ventricular Dysfunction in Hypertrophie Cardiomyopathy.- Right Ventricular Failure in Congenital Heart Disease.- Invasive Assessment of Left Ventricular Function in Ischemic Heart Disease.- Non-Invasive Assessment of Left Ventricle Systolic Function and Diastolic Filling at Rest and During Exercise in Coronary Heart Disease.- Global and Regional Function After By-pass Surgery.- The Value of Systolic Time Intervals as Prognostic Indicators in Coronary Artery Disease.- Comments on Chapter III.- Discussion.- IV Pharmacological Manipulation of Ventricular Function.- Left Ventricular Unloading with Calcium Antagonists.- New and Old Inotropic Drugs: Controversies and Challenges.- Discussion.- Lecturers and Invited Speakers.