The Cardiovascular System at a Glance

Preface 6
Recommended reading 6
Acknowledgements 7
List of abbreviations 8
Introduction
1 Overview of the cardiovascular system 10
Anatomy and histology
2 Gross anatomy and histology of the heart 12
3 Vascular anatomy 14
4 Vascular histology and smooth muscle cell ultrastructure 16
Blood and body fluids
5 Constituents of blood 18
6 Erythropoiesis, haemoglobin and anaemia 20
7 Haemostasis 22
8 Thrombosis and anticoagulants 24
9 Blood groups and transfusions 26
Cellular physiology
10 Membrane potential, ion channels and pumps 28
11 Electrophysiology of cardiac muscle and origin of the heart beat 30
12 Cardiac muscle excitation-contraction coupling 32
13 Electrical conduction system in the heart 34
14 The electrocardiogram 36
15 Vascular smooth muscle excitation-contraction coupling 38
Form and function
16 Cardiac cycle 40
17 Control of cardiac output 42
18 Haemodynamics 44
19 Blood pressure and flow in the arteries and arterioles 46
20 The microcirculation and lymphatic system, and diapedesis 48
21 Fluid filtration in the microcirculation 50
22 The venous system 52
23 Local control of blood flow 54
24 Regulation of the vasculature by the endothelium 56
25 The coronary, cutaneous and cerebral circulations 58
26 The pulmonary, skeletal muscle and fetal circulations 60
Integration and regulation
27 Cardiovascular refl exes 62
28 Autonomic control of the cardiovascular system 64
29 The control of blood volume 66
30 Cardiovascular effects of exercise 68
31 Shock and haemorrhage 70
History, examination and investigations
32 History and examination of the cardiovascular system 72
33 Cardiovascular investigations 74
Pathology and therapeutics
34 Risk factors for cardiovascular disease 76
35 ß-Blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and Ca2+ channel blockers 78
36 Hyperlipidaemias 80
37 Atherosclerosis 82
38 Treatment of hypertension 84
39 Mechanisms of primary hypertension 86
40

Philip Aaronson is Reader in Pharmacology and Therapeutics at King's College, London

Jeremy Ward is Head of Department of Physiology and Professor of Respiratory Cell Physiology at King's College, London

Michelle Connolly is Academic Foundation Doctor at the Royal Free Hospital, London