Introduction to Translational Cardiovascular Research

Book excerpt: The term “Translational Research” reflects today’s integration of basic research (“bench”) findings with the clinical practice of medicine, and in a wider scope the application of results from the individual patient (“bedside”) to entire populations for the improvement of public health. This book offers future researchers a stimulus in many aspects of cardiovascular research, so as to promote their interest in future fields of cardiovascular disease, diagnosis and treatment. Introduction to Translational Cardiovascular Research discusses the fundamental and important aspects of the topic. It describes the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, the beta adrenergic receptors and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, while covering genetic polymorphisms both generally and specifically as regards the vascular endothelium and the use of microRNAs. As such, this book will be relevant to young physicians, nurses and other scientists engaged in the clinical cardiovascular field who want to added research-oriented dimension to their efforts towards better understanding and practicing of medicine. It also aims to attract young basic researchers who want to develop a better comprehension of the organism as a whole, man or animal, that they are investigating.