Based on a number of collaborative efforts between basic researchers and clinicians from different institutions in Leiden, this book covers the initial and promising results of the role endothelium plays in the relatively new development of diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease.

A new development is the characterization of the atherosclerotic lesion by Raman spectroscopy using a laser beam to illuminate the vascular wall. Various aspects of inflammation related to the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes, in particular unstable angina, are illuminated, as well as the role of blood-borne substances as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Transgenic mice carrying the gene for human APOE
*3 Leiden are being used successfully to study the environmental and genetic factors that influence the remnant lipoprotein metabolism. Possibilities for gene therapy to treat atherosclerosis in the clinic are being investigated in animal models. Finally, as the book is based on 50 years of cardiology in Leiden, the history of its development up to the present day is the topic of a separate chapter. This book is intended for cardiologists, internal medicine specialists, nuclear medicine specialists, thoracic surgeons, cardiovascular radiologists and basic scientists in the field of the cardiovascular system.

`Cardiology Leiden', the first 40 years, J.J. Schipperheijn
are C-reactive protein and fibrinogen risk factors?, F. Haverkate
inflammatory activity in the pathogenesis of unstable angina, P.W.H.M. Verheggen, V. Manger Cats
effects of coronary endothelium on systolic myocardial function, J. Baan, et al
endothelial function and calcium metabolism, H.W. Vliegen, et al
endothelial (dys)function, lipid reduction and balloon angioplasty, H.J.G.H. Mulder, M.J. Schalij
state-of-the-art diagnosis in myocardial ischemia, J.J. Bax, E.E. van der Wall, quantitative cardiovascular image analysis - current status and what are realistic expectations for the future?, J.H.C. Reiber, et al
is hypertriglyceridemia always a risk factor?, F.H.A.F. de Man, et al
hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in APOE transgenic mice, L. Havekes, et al
Raman spectroscopy during catheterization - a means of viewing plaque composition, T.J. Romer J.F. Brennan III
modulation of arteriosclerosis by gene-therapy, T.J.C. van Berkel, et al.