Cardiovascular system pathophysiology

Smith, E.R., Pathophysiology of cardiac electrical disturbances, in Physio-pathology of the Cardiovascular System, Alpert, J.S., Ed., Little, Brown, Boston, 1984, chap. 14. 

ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR AGONISTS are a family of potent agents with notable actions on the cardiovascular system and electrolyte balance, but have many other possible pathophysiological functions, including a putative central neurotransmitter role. 

The peptidoleukotrienes play a major role in the pathophysiological sequelae of anaphylaxis by exerting profound effects on smooth muscle tone. Peptidoleukotrienes contract respiratory, vascular, and intestinal smooth muscle. Furthermore, peptidoleukotrienes have potent effects on the cardiovascular system including coronary vasoconstriction, reduced heart rate, arteriolar constriction, venule dila-... 

We actually have three ways to achieve increased levels of c-AMP in tissues (1) activate P-receptors, which results in cyclase stimulation, (2) block a-receptors, or (3) inhibit phosphodiesterase. These then are some, but, as will be seen, not the only, approaches to improve or correct pathophysiological defects in our cardiovascular system. 

While thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) are produced by a large number of mammalian cell types and influence their function, the focus of this review will be primarily on their receptors in vascular smooth muscle and platelets. The potential role of these compounds in mediating physiological and pathophysiological processes in the cardiovascular system and platelets is covered in other chapters of this book. 

This chapter provides an overview of healthy cardiovascular structure and function, followed by an overview of cardiac pathophysiology and disease. In each case, attention falls first on the heart, since multiple subsequent chapters focus on proarrhythmia. Nonetheless, discussions of the cardiovascular system are also pertinent to topics addressed later in the book. 

Gothert M, Garbarg M, Hey JA, Schlicker E, Schwartz JC, Levi R (1995) New aspects of the role of histamine in cardiovascular function identification, characterization, and potential pathophysiological importance of H3 receptors. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 73 558-64 Gothert M, Fink K, Frolich D, Likungu J, Molderings G, Schlicker E, Zentner J (1996) Presynaptic 5-HT auto- and heteroreceptors in the human central and peripheral nervous system. Behav Brain Res 73 89-92... 

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