The previous volume on Antihypertensive Agents in the Handbook of Experi­ mental Pharmacology, published in 1977, was edited by the late Franz Gross from the Department of Pharmacology in Heidelberg, who was one of the grand old men in hypertension research. Now, more than 10 years later, it is necessary to update this volume. From the early days of antihypertensive drug treatment, starting about 30 years ago with drugs such as reserpine and guanethidine, the pharmacology of cardiovas"­ cular therapy has evolved into a highly sophisticated and effective therapeutic regimen. The major breakthroughs in the 1960s were the introduction of diuretics and beta-blockers. Then, in the 1980s, came the calcium antagonists and con­ verting enzyme inhibitors. It can be anticipated that the next decade will see a further expansion and sophistication of blood pressure lowering drugs. This book provides a state-of-the-art discussion of chemical, experimental, and clinical pharmacological data as well as of practical experience with drugs which are presently being used or which are going to be introduced on the market in the near future. The purpose of this volume is to provide a complete discussion of antihypertensive agents. Each major class of antihypertensive drugs is treated exhaustively in a separate chapter, fully referenced with chemical formulae, and richly illustrated with figures and tables. International authorities were asked to contribute in their respective fields of expertise.

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1 Basis for the Treatment of Hypertension: Some Considerations Concerning the Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Treatment, and Prevention of Hypertension With Figure.- 2 Diuretics With 12 Figures and 9 Tables.- 3 ?-Blockers With 6 Figures and 3 Tables.- 4 ?-Adrenoceptor Antagonists With 6 Figures and 1 Table.- 5 Drugs Acting on Multiple Receptors: ß-Blockers with Additional Properties With 5 Figures and 5 Tables.- 6 Centrally Acting Drugs (Clonidine, Methyldopa, Guanfacine) With 7 Figures and 1 Table.- 7 Rauwolfia Alkaloids (Reserpine) With 1 Figure.- 8 Guanethidine and Related Compounds With 2 Figures.- 9 Calcium Antagonists With 16 Figures.- 10 Converting Enzyme Inhibitors With 33 Figures and 9 Tables.- 11 Renin Inhibitors With 5 Tables.- 12 Prostaglandins With 5 Figures and 1 Table.- 13 Interferences with 5-Hydroxytryptamine With 6 Figures and 3 Tables.- 14 Interferences with Dopamine With 3 Figures and 2 Tables.- 15 Peptides in Hypertension With 5 Figures and 1 Table.- 16 Antihypertensive Agents Which Open Smooth Muscle K Channels With 7 Figures.- 17 Principles in the Combination of Antihypertensive Drugs With 2 Tables.- 18 Electrolyte Intake in the Treatment of Hypertension With 4 Tables.- 19 Natural Agents and Extracts With 1 Figure.- 20 Stepwise Treatment of Hypertension With 12 Figures and 1 Table.- 21 Prognosis of Treated and Untreated Hypertension With 3 Figures and 2 Tables.- 22 Toxicity Testing of Antihypertensive Drugs.- 23 Traditions of Antihypertensive Therapy in Different Countries.- 1. Continental Europe With 6 Figures.- 2. Scandinavia With 5 Figures and 1 Table.- 3. United Kingdom.- 4. United States of America With 1 Figure and 3 Tables.- 5. Brazil With 2 Figures and 2 Tables.- 6. Union of Soviet Socialist Republic.- 7. China.- 8. Japan With 2 Figures and 1 Table.- 24 Listing of Antihypertensive Medications With 4 Tables.