Skip to main content
  • Textbook
  • © 2019

Heart of the Matter

Key concepts in cardiovascular science

  • Offers a valuable translational work on cardiovascular biology, bridging the gap between clinics and basic science
  • Written by top lecturers and outstanding students from the Imperial College London
  • Places particular emphasis on novel and controversial topics

Part of the book series: Learning Materials in Biosciences (LMB)

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (19 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XV
  2. Anatomy of the Heart and Coronary Vasculature

    • Dominic Gyimah, Alec Saunders, Elizabeth Thong, Balvinder Handa
    Pages 1-11
  3. Early Mechanisms of Cardiac Development

    • Jack Griffiths, Thomas Brand
    Pages 13-23
  4. Later Mechanisms of Cardiac Development

    • Beth Taylor, Thomas Brand
    Pages 25-37
  5. Myocardial Microstructure and Contractile Apparatus

    • Umamah Tarvala, Zohya Khalique
    Pages 39-48
  6. An Introduction to the Cardiac Action Potentials

    • Elizabeth Thong, Ayesha Ahmed, Kenneth T. MacLeod
    Pages 49-59
  7. Cardiac Excitation-Contraction Coupling

    • Fotios G. Pitoulis, Cesare M. Terracciano
    Pages 61-75
  8. Conduction in Normal and Diseased Myocardium

    • Alec Saunders, Fu Siong Ng
    Pages 77-85
  9. Cell-Based Tachyarrhythmias and Bradyarrhythmias

    • Rohin K. Reddy, Ben N. Cullen, Ahran D. Arnold, Zachary I. Whinnett
    Pages 87-103
  10. The Scientific Rationale of Artificial Pacing

    • Dominic Gyimah, Ahran D. Arnold, Zachary I. Whinnett
    Pages 105-119
  11. Cardiac Contractility

    • Fotios G. Pitoulis, Pieter P. de Tombe
    Pages 121-133
  12. The Scientific Basis of Heart Failure

    • Giles Chick, Fotios G. Pitoulis, Liam Couch
    Pages 135-144
  13. Molecular and Cellular Basis of Cardiomyopathies

    • Praveena Krishnakumar, Kabir Matwala, Shiv-Raj Sharma, Salomon Narodden
    Pages 145-153
  14. Substrate Remodeling in Heart Failure

    • Angeliki Iakovou, Samuel Guymer, Rasheda Chowdhury
    Pages 155-166
  15. Pharmacological Targets of Hypertension

    • Haaris Rahim, Yasmin Bashir, Michael Schachter
    Pages 179-191
  16. The Coagulation Cascade and its Therapeutic Modulation

    • Lieze Thielemans, Moghees Hanif, James Crawley
    Pages 193-206
  17. Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Atherosclerosis

    • Adam Tsao, Mridul Rana, Joseph J. Boyle
    Pages 207-218
  18. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Angiogenesis

    • Zarius Ferozepurwalla, Jude Merzah, Lieze Thielemans, Graeme Birdsey
    Pages 219-226
  19. Endothelial Function in Normal and Diseased Vessels

    • Mridul Rana, Zarius Ferozepurwalla, Justin Mason
    Pages 227-236

About this book

This textbook introduces readers to the scientific basics of cardiovascular medicine and biology. It covers not only developmental but also cellular and molecular aspects of normally functioning vasculature and the heart; importantly, it also addresses the mechanisms leading to and involved in specific cardiovascular diseases. Though the main emphasis is on novel therapies and potential therapeutic targets, specific controversial topics like cardiac remodeling and regenerative capacities are also addressed.

All chapters were written by lecturers from the Imperial College London, in collaboration with their students from the College’s BSc Programme in Medical Sciences with Cardiovascular Science. Bridging the gap between clinics and basic biology, the book offers a valuable guide for medical students, and for Master and PhD students in Cardiovascular Biomedicine.

Editors and Affiliations

  • National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Cesare Terracciano

  • Imperial College London & St George’s Medical School, London, UK

    Samuel Guymer

About the editors

Cesare Terracciano is a Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Director of the BSc course in Cardiovascular Sciences at Imperial College London, and a PI of the British Heart Foundation Cardiovascular Regenerative Centre, UK.


Samuel Guymer is a medical student at St. George’s, University of London and graduate of the Cardiovascular Sciences, BSc programme at Imperial College London.


Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access