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.

Autorentext
Detlev Ganten, geb. 1941, zählt zu den herausragenden Persönlichkeiten in der europäischen Forschungslandschaft. Er ist u.a. Gründungsdirektor des Max-Delbrück-Centrums für molekulare Medizin, Professor für Klinische Pharmakologie an der FU Berlin, Mitglied im Nationalen Ethikrat und Vizepräsident der Berlin-Brandenburgischen Akademie der Wissenschaften.

Klappentext

This handbook provides a complete state-of-the-art discussion of antihypertensive agents; it describes chemical, experimental and clinical pharmacological data as well as clinical experience with drugs which are presently being used or shortly to be introduced on the market. Each major class of antihypertensive drugs is treated exhaustively in separate chapters with full references, chemical formulae, and numerous figures and tables. The contributing authors are international experts well-known in their respective fields. New areas of drug development are extensively examined and give the reader excellent insight into the directions in which the drug market is moving. Two highlights are the special chapters devoted to toxicity testing of antihypertensive drugs and traditions of antihypertensive therapy on different continents. An extremely practical catalogue of antihypertensive drugs with international generic and trade names and cross-referencing is included at the end of the handbook. For the practicing physician, it is imperative to have up-to-date and full unbiased information not only on the classical first line drugs, but also on the many new drugs being developed at the present time. In this handbook he will be able to obtain background information as well as practical advice for therapy with respect to differential therapy, side effects, combination of drugs and counterindications. The experimental pharmacologist will find detailed chemical and experimental information and complete references.

Inhalt
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 Figuresand 1 Table.- 24 Listing of Antihypertensive Medications With 4 Tables.