Preface

Microcirculation occurs through an extensive network of vasculature spread throughout the body. An intact microcirculatory system is a prerequisite for adequate perfusion and hence normal functioning of organs in the body. Microcirculatory disorders could result from decreased microcirculation, damage to the endothelial cells, altered vascular permeability and/or changes in microvascular reactivity. Early identification of microcirculatory impairment through investigative means could help improve outcome for a large number of disease states.

This book entitled "Basic and Clinical Understanding of Microcirculation" effectively develops the very basic concepts of microvascular circulation. The first chapter describes the role of ion channels in regulating vascular smooth muscles. Subsequent chapters cover topics such as how diseases like diabetes affect the regulation of cerebrovascular tone and lead to neurological disorders. Later, the role of endothelial dysfunction, relation to nitric oxide in maintaining vasodilation, and abnormalities in disease states are discussed. Reading these chapters on the basic aspects also makes one understand how vascular dysfunction is related to the diseases like diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Clinical section of the book begins with describing the pivotal role of endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases, followed by association with the peripheral blood inflammatory markers and their role in depression. Similarly, when the active monocellular layer of cells gets affected, it could lead to atherosclerosis, thrombosis, diabetes, hypertension etc.

In this book the authors thoroughly describe methods to evaluate microcirculation using modern diagnostic technology like laser doppler flowmetry. Last but not least, the readers will be intrigued with how microvascular circulation could be related to growth and development of newborn. I hope hhat those who read this book will benefit through better understanding of the various facets of microcirculation.

I would like to thank my co-editors Nazar Luqman Bilgrami (Cardiologist at Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia) and Seyed Soheil Saeedi Saravi (Cardiovascular Division, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA) for their contribution towards compiling this book, editing the chapters, and writing the preface.

Production of this book would not have been possible without the contribution from the experts in the field and the continuous hard work of the Author Service Manager and Commissioning Editor at IntechOpen.

Finally, I would like to emphasise that this book is meant for a broad range of readers including undergraduates, graduates, researchers, teachers, medical professionals, and cardiovascular specialists.
