Synopses & Reviews
The interconnectedness of genetics and susceptibility to disease, viral and non-viral inflammation, and the role of immunity and the development of autoimmunity is a fascinating and much discussed topic in cardiomyopathy. This publication constitutes the outcome of an ESRF meeting held together with the German Research Foundation. Clinical researchers, immunologists, virologists and molecular biologists provide the latest findings in their fields, advancing our understanding of what causes chronic viral and inflammatory cardiomyopathy, why it affects a subset of individuals while sparing the majority, how we can develop better therapies, and whether the disease can be prevented. Special emphasis is placed on the role of viruses in the aetiology and pathogenesis of cardiomyopathy. The editors are convinced that the broad spectrum covered by this state-of-the-art publication will be of exceptional value to its readers.
Table of Contents
Overview on Chronic Viral Cardiomyopathy/Chronic Myocarditis.-Unsolved Medical Issues and New Targets for Further Research in Viral Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy.- Frontiers in Viral Diagnostics.- Is Virus Persistence a Determinant for Disease Progression?- Parvovirus B19 - The Causative Agent of Dilated Cardiomyopathy or an Harmless Passenger of the Human Myocard?- Parvovirus B19: A New Emerging Pathogenic Agent of Inflammatory Cardiomyopathy.- Role of Hepatitis C Virus in Cardiomyopathies.-Recent Insights into the Role of Host Innate and Acquired Immunity Responses.- The Significance of Autoimmunity in Myocarditis.- The Roles of Immunity and Autoimmunity in Chronic Heart Failure.- Clinical Implications of Anti-Cardiac Immunity in Dilated Cardiomyopathy.- Inflammation and Cardiac Remodeling During Viral Myocarditis.- Is There a Virus Specific Matrix Destruction in the Course of Disease in Dilated Cardiomyopathy?- New Non-Invasive Approaches for the Diagnosis of Cardiomyopathy: MRI.-New Therapeutics Targets in Chronic Viral Cardiomyopathy.-Anti-Viral Treatment in Patients with Virus-Induced Cardiomyopathy.- Immunosuppressive Treatment of Chronic Non-Viral Myocarditis.-Immunoabsorption in Dilated Cardiomyopathy