Aging and cardiovascular disease. Use of subclinical measurements

This article examines the use of subclinical measurements in cardiovascular disease in the elderly. In the past 10 years, the development of new technology to measure subclinical disease has provided the opportunity to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical disease, the risk factors for subclinical disease, and the risk for clinical disease given the presence or absence of subclinical disease.     

Remodeling and reparation of the cardiovascular system.

Growth or altered metabolism of nonmyocyte cells (cardiac fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells) alters myocardial and vascular structure (remodeling) and function. However, the precise roles of circulating and locally generated factors such as angiotensin II, aldosterone and endothelin that regulate growth and metabolism of nonmyocyte cells have yet to be fully elucidated. Trials of pharmacologic therapy aimed at preventing structural remodeling and repairing altered myocardial structure to or toward normal in the setting of hypertension, heart failure and diabetes are reviewed. It is proposed that these are therapeutic goals that may reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although this hypothesis remains unproved the primary goal of therapy should be to preserve or restore tissue structure and function.     

Sex, hormones and the cardiovascular system.

The meeting "Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Health and Disease" was held in Madison, WI USA, on 24 July 2002.     

Nitric oxide and cardiovascular system.

Endothelium has many important functions including the control of blood-tissue permeability and vascular tonus, regulation of vascular surface properties for homeostasis and inflammation. Nitric oxide is the chief molecule in regulation of endothelial functions. Nitric oxide deficiency, which is also known as endothelial dysfunction, is the first step for the occurrence of many disease states in cardiovascular system including heart failure, hypertension, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hyperhomocysteinemia and smoking. This review deals with the importance of nitric oxide for cardiovascular system. It also includes the latest improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of endothelial dysfunction.     

Fantastic voyage through the cardiovascular system.

Please see page 34 for the article by Jongbloed et al. (doi: 10.1016/S1525-2167(03)00051-9)and page 93 for the article by Scholten et al. (doi: 10.1016/S1525-2167(03)00049-0)to which this editorial pertains. In 1963 Isaac Asimov published the science fiction novel entitledFantastic Voyage.¹ The novel begins with a scientific breakthroughof Promethean proportions signally certain victory for the sidethat possesses this revolutionary technology. Scientists developedminiaturization allowing large objects to be made small. Everyonewas quick to see the strategic role of miniaturization. However,