J. Yuan – Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease

Описание

The major function of the lungs is gas exchange and it does this using a low resistance circulation.
The pulmonary circulation (or the pulmonary vasculature) is a unique system that differs
dramatically from the systemic circulatory system (e.g., coronary, cerebral, renal arteries) in
structure, function, and regulation. A typical example of functional differences between the
pulmonary and systemic vasculature is that hypoxia causes pulmonary vasoconstriction but
systemic vasodilation. Furthermore, in patients with systemic arterial hypertension (e.g.,
essential hypertension), pulmonary arterial pressure is normal, while in patients with idiopathic
pulmonary arterial hypertension (previously referred to as primary pulmonary hypertension),
systemic arterial pressure is usually within the normal range. The divergent vascular
responses to hypoxia and the alternative existence of systemic or pulmonary arterial hypertension
in patients indicate that the pulmonary vasculature or the pulmonary circulation is unique
in terms of its anatomic and histological structure, physiological and pharmacological properties,
genetic and epigenetic development as well as cellular and molecular determinants for
vasoconstriction, vascular-wall remodeling, and embolus formation. Therefore, the pathogenic
mechanisms of pulmonary vascular diseases are rather different from those of systemic circulatory
disorders. Development of therapeutic approaches and improvement of clinical management
for patients with pulmonary vascular diseases should be directed by understanding
the unique physiological and pathological features of the pulmonary vasculature at organ, tissue,
cell, and molecular levels.
Although many books have addressed clinical aspects of cardiovascular diseases, systemic
arterial hypertension and basic science progress about structural and functional studies on
systemic arteries (e.g., coronary, cerebral, and other peripheral arteries and microcirculation),
very few books have focused on the pulmonary circulation and pulmonary vascular disease.
Given the significant differences between the pulmonary and systemic vasculature and between
systemic and pulmonary vascular diseases, it is urgent to have a comprehensive reference book
specifically designated to describe a) basic structure and function of the pulmonary vasculature
or the pulmonary circulation, b) pathophysiology of the pulmonary circulatory system,
and c) clinical aspects (diagnosis, treatment, and prevention) of pulmonary vascular diseases.
Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease is therefore designed for and is of special interest
to a) clinicians (pulmonologists, cardiologists, intensive care physicians, cardiothoracic and
vascular surgeons, and emergency physicians), b) physician-scientists and basic-science
researchers in the fields of cardiopulmonary and critical care medicine, vascular physiology
and pathophysiology, translational medical research, and bioengineering, c) healthcare workers
in cardiopulmonary and critical care medicine, and d) clinical and research fellows as well
as residents, medical and graduate students. Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease combines
basic scientific concepts and knowledge on the pulmonary circulation with clinical diagnosis
and treatment on pulmonary vascular diseases. Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease
is unique in that no book currently available i) focuses on elucidating the cellular and molecular
regulation of normal pulmonary vasculature and the pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary
vascular diseases, ii) includes advanced techniques and technology for basic and clinical
research, and iii) includes conventional and molecular approaches currently available for diagnosis and treatment of patients with pulmonary vascular diseases. Another feature of the
book is the inclusion of surgical approaches for treatment of pulmonary vascular diseases,
which have not been well described in previously published books.
Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease is divided into five parts. Part 1 (Structure, Function
and Regulation), consisting of nine sections and twenty-nine chapters, is designated for basic
knowledge and recent findings related to pulmonary vascular structure, function, and regulation
at levels of molecule, cell, tissue, organ and system. Part 2 (Methodological Approaches for
Research) is composed of six sections and sixteen chapters that are designed to provide a basic
knowledge and spectrum on the techniques and technology that are commonly used to study
genetic, molecular, cellular, systemic and pathophysiological aspects of the pulmonary vasculature.
Part 3 (Pathology and Pathobiology) includes four sections and nineteen chapters that
discuss the potential mechanisms or sequence of events involved in the initiation and progression
of abnormalities in the pulmonary vasculature in patients with pulmonary vascular disease.
Part 4 (Pulmonary Vascular Diseases) consists of nine sections and thirty-two chapters devoted
to describe pathogenesis, epidemiology and pathophysiology of almost all of the pulmonary
vascular diseases identified so far by the World Health Organization (WHO). One of the sections
is specifically designated to describe pulmonary vascular disease in pediatric patients.
Part 5 (Diagnosis and Treatment) includes three sections and twenty chapters designed to illustrate,
in details, the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures currently used for patients with pulmonary
vascular disease.
Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease is written by more than 220 experts in the field
including physicians, surgeons, epidemiologists, bioinformaticians, nurses, physician scientists
and investigators. All of the contributors are actively involved in clinical, physiological,
and pathophysiological studies on the pulmonary circulation and pulmonary vascular diseases.
The vast majority of authors are recognized experts in the research area of the topic on which
the chapter is based with many contributors also Fellows of the Pulmonary Vascular Research
Institute, a not-for-profit, international scientific association focused on the pulmonary circulation
and pulmonary vascular disease. Founded in 2007, the Pulmonary Vascular Research
Institute (PVRI) has assembled clinical, epidemiological, translational and basic scientists
from around the world to perform research and advance education regarding pulmonary vascular
disease and right heart failure. There is a focus on performing research in and providing
education and treatment to underserved populations of the world. The unique strength of the
PVRI is that it brings together a multidisciplinary faculty from around the world within a
single focused institute. PVRI members have the expertise to conduct basic, translational, and
clinical research at a level that no single academic institution can offer. The publication of an
authoritative textbook on pulmonary vascular disease was an initial goal of the Institute.
Textbook of Pulmonary Vascular Disease will not only serve as a reference book for physicians,
surgeons, private practitioners, translational medical researchers, clinical and research
fellows, and medical and graduate students, but also can be used as a guidance manual for
technical and marketing personnel in pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies, that are
interested in clinical and basic science research in cardiopulmonary diseases, pulmonary vascular
diseases, vascular biology, and lung/heart transplantation.
We hope that this book will also allow readers to foster new concepts and new collaboration
and cooperation among clinicians, physician scientists and investigators so as to further understand
the pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease and develop novel therapeutic
approaches for the disease.