The first edition of this book was quite successful. As in the first edition, the book is divided into two major sections: cardiac muscle and coronary circula Several complimentary book reviews appeared soon tion. The book is multidisciplinary and includes after the first edition was published, and written and membrane biophysics, electrophysiology, physiol oral words of praise and appreciation were given both ogy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, to the publisher and to me by quite a few individuals. and ultrastructure. Thus, the book attempts ro It is because of such positive comments and reactions that the publisher and I decided to embark on a integrate all relevant aspects of the factors influenc second edition of Physiology and Pathophysiology of the ing the function of the heart as a vital organ under Heart. The second edition was long in preparation, normal and various abnormal conditions. The book taking over a year to complete. All chapter contri also attempts to set the foundation for an under butors were asked to revise, improve, and update standing of the action and mechanism of action of a their articles, and all have done so with enthusiasm number of classes of cardioactive drugs.

Inhalt
CARDIAC MUSCLE.- 1. Ultrastructure of Mammalian Cardiac Muscle.- 2. Basic Pathological Processes of the Heart: Relationship to Cardiomyopathies.- 3. Basis of the Resting Potential.- 4. Ionic Basis of Electrical Activity in the Heart.- 5. Role of Calcium-Activated Ion Currents in the Heart.- 6. Electrogenesis of the Pacemaker Potential as Revealed by Atrioventricular Nodal Experiments.- 7. A Matrical Perspective of Cardiac Excitability, Cable Properties, Impulse Propagation.- 8. The Electrocardiogram and Its Relationship to Excitation of the Heart.- 9. The Slow Action Potential and Properties of the Myocardial Slow Ca Channels.- 10. Excitation-Contraction Coupling: Relationship of Slow Inward Current to Contraction.- 11. Role of Na-Ca Exchange in Heart.- 12. Calculated Transsarcolemmal Calcium Movements in Cardiac Muscle.- 13. Uptake of Calcium by Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and Its Regulation and Functional Consequences.- 14. Control and Modulation of Contractile Activity of Cardiac Myofilaments.- 15. Contractile and Mechanical Properties of the Myocardium.- 16. Substrate and Energy Metabolism of the Heart.- 17. Autonomic Neural Control of Cardiac Function.- 18. Development of Postjunctional Cardiac Autonomic Receptors and their Regulation of Cardiac Function During Fetal and Neonatal Life.- 19. Developmental Changes in Alpha-Adrenergic Modulation of Cardiac Rhythm.- 20. Mechanisms of Adrenergic and Cholinergic Regulation of Myocardial Contractility.- 21. Pharmacology of Cardiac Glycosides.- 22. Effects of and the Mechanism of Action of Calcium Antagonists and Other Antianginal Agents.- 23. Cellular Electrophysiology and Ischemia.- 24. Mechanism of Action of Antiarrhythmic Drugs.- 25. Calcium and the Injured Cardiac Myocyte.- 26. Cell Coupling and Healing-Over in Cardiac Muscle.- 27. Action of Natural Toxins on Cardiac Ionic Channels.- 28. Cardiac Hypertrophy and Altered Cellular Electrical Activity of the Myocardium: Possible Electrophysiological Basis for Myocardial Contractility Changes.- 29. Developmental Changes in Membrane Electrical Properties of the Heart.- 30. Aging of the Adult Heart.- 31. Hormonal Effects on Cardiac Performance.- 32. Cardioplegia: Principles and Problems.- 33. Effects of the Volatile Anesthetic Agents on the Heart.- 34. Effects of Toxic Substances on the Heart.- II. CORONARY CIRCULATION.- 35. Vascular Smooth-Muscle Cells and Other Periendothelial Cells of Mammalian Heart.- 36. Pathogenesis of Coronary Atherosclerosis.- 37. Endothelial Cell Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 38. Electrophysiology of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 39. Electromechanical and Pharmacomechanical Coupling in Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 40. Cyclic Nucleotides and Protein Phosphorylation in Vascular Smooth-Muscle Relaxation.- 41. Vascular Muscle Membrane Properties in Hypertension.- 42. Contractile Proteins of Smooth Muscle.- Mechanical Properties and Regulation of Vascular Smooth-Muscle Contraction.- 44. Metabolism and Energetics of Vascular Smooth Muscle.- 45. Control of the Coronary Circulation.- 46. Extravascular Coronary Resistance.- 47. Myocardial Infarction.- 48. Inappropriate Coronary Vasomotion: Excessive Constriction and Insufficient Dilation.