Structure and Function of the Microcirculation
Christian Aalkjaer, Michael J. Mulvany
Pages 1-14
Assessment of Small Artery Structure and Function by Micromyography
Michael J. Mulvany, Christian Aalkjaer
Pages 15-25
Assessment of Retinal Arteriolar Morphology by SLDF
Christian Ott, Roland E. Schmieder
Pages 27-41
Assessment of Retinal Arteriolar Morphology by Adaptive Optics Ophthalmoscopy
Antonio Gallo, Xavier Girerd, M. Pâques, D. Rosenbaum, Damiano Rizzoni
Pages 43-57
The Cerebral Microcirculation
Anne-Eva van der Wijk, Ed VanBavel, Erik N. T. P. Bakker
Pages 59-72
Role of Inflammation in Microvascular Damage
Carmine Savoia
Pages 73-83
Immune Mechanisms in Vascular Remodeling in Hypertension
Ernesto L. Schiffrin
Pages 85-94
Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension
Agostino Virdis, Stefano Masi
Pages 95-101
Interrelationships Between Micro- and Macrocirculation
Stéphane Laurent, Pierre Boutouyrie
Pages 103-119
Alterations in Capillary and Microcirculatory Networks in Cardiovascular Diseases
Bernard I. Levy
Pages 121-135
Microvascular Alterations in Obesity
Gino Seravalle, Guido Grassi
Pages 137-147
Microvascular Alterations in Diabetes: Focus on Small Resistance Arteries
Carolina De Ciuceis
Pages 149-164
Cardiovascular Effects of Anti-angiogenic Drugs
Harry A. J. Struijker-Boudier
Pages 165-171
Pathophysiological Mechanisms Implicated in Organ Damage and Cardiovascular Events
Reza Aghamohammadzadeh, Anthony M. Heagerty
Pages 173-190
The Role of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Arterial Function in Health and Disease
Claudia Agabiti-Rosei, Clarissa Barp, Sophie N. Saxton, Anthony M. Heagerty
Pages 191-206
Prognostic Role of Microvascular Damage and Effect of Treatment
Enrico Agabiti-Rosei, Claudia Agabiti-Rosei, Damiano Rizzoni
Pages 207-216

This book offers an extensive review of the most recent data on the pathophysiological role of structural and functional alterations in the microcirculation, particularly focusing on hypertension and diabetes. It covers several relevant and innovative aspects, including the possible mechanisms involved in the development of microvascular remodeling and rarefaction, the technical approaches available for the detection of microvascular alterations, including non-invasive evaluations, the prognostic role of changes in small resistance artery structure, the possibility of preventing or regressing such alterations with appropriate treatment, and the potential clinical advantages of such intervention. A number of innovative areas of research are considered, including the role of the immune system, inflammation and oxidative stress in the development of microvascular alterations. Lastly, it examines the availability of recent non-invasive methods for the evaluation of small resistance artery morphology in the retina, which in the near future may provide a useful tool for the stratification of cardiovascular risk and even for clinical decisions regarding drug treatment, thus providing physicians with a clinically relevant instrument for improving and optimizing the management of hypertensive and diabetic patients. The book provides valuable, clinically relevant information for specialists (cardiology, internal medicine, and endocrinology) and general practitioners, and also offers novel and stimulating data to basic and clinical researchers.