This open access book presents a comprehensive overview of dilated cardiomyopathy, providing readers with practical guidelines for its clinical management. The first part of the book analyzes in detail the disease’s pathophysiology, its diagnostic work up as well as the prognostic stratification, and illustrates the role of genetics and gene-environment interaction. The second part presents current and future treatment options, highlighting the importance of long-term and individualized treatments and follow-up. Furthermore, it discusses open issues, such as the apparent healing phenomenon, the early prognosis of arrhythmic events or the use of genetic testing in clinical practice. Offering a multidisciplinary approach for optimizing the clinical management of DCM, this book is an invaluable aid not only for the clinical cardiologists, but for all physicians involved in the care of this challenging disease.

Heart failure is a serious condition caused by the heart failing to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure. It usually occurs because the heart muscle has become too weak or stiff to work properly, most commonly caused by heart attack, high blood pressure or cardiomyopathy (heart disease). This textbook is a comprehensive guide to the latest advances in the diagnosis and management of heart failure. Comprising nearly 1000 pages, the book features 15 sections, beginning with discussion on clinical issues of heart failure, followed by imaging techniques. Each of the following sections covers a different disorder or disease that subsequently may lead to heart failure. Topics include coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmia, hypertension, nutritional aspects, cardio-oncology, and much more. The book concludes with rehabilitation, legal aspects, and future directions. Authored by internationally recognised experts in the field, the text is further enhanced by clinical photographs, diagrams and tables. Key points Comprehensive guide to latest advances in diagnosis and management of heart failure Extensive text comprising nearly 1000 pages covering numerous associated disorders and diseases Internationally recognised editor and author team Highly illustrated with clinical photographs, diagrams and tables

Advances in Cardiac Imaging presents the latest information on heart disease and heart failure, major causes of death among western populations. In addition, the text explores the financial burden to public healthcare trusts and the vast amount of research and funding being channeled into programs not only to prevent such diseases, but also to diagnose them in early stages. This book provides readers with a thorough overview of many advances in cardiac imaging. Chapters include technological developments in cardiac imaging and imaging applications in a clinical setting with regard to detecting various types of heart disease. Presents a thorough overview of cardiac imaging technology Addresses specific applications for a number of cardiac diseases and how they can improve diagnoses and treatment protocols Includes technological developments in cardiac imaging and imaging applications in a clinical setting

Valvular heart diseases (VHD) remain one of the leading causes of heart failure and a decrease in life expectancy. Timely diagnosis and management are of utmost importance for this subgroup of patients. Recent advances in cardiac imaging and transcatheter therapeutic approaches have led to the development of the term “Heart Team” and the new sub-specialty of “interventional Echocardiographer”. Through the routine use of advanced echocardiography (strain and 3D imaging) and all other modalities, such as CT and CMR, we have better recognized the mechanisms of valvular abnormalities and we have provided the option to expand the transcatheter therapies. With this Research Topic, we seek to provide an overview of the latest advances in imaging techniques on Valvular Diseases, such as advanced Echocardiographic tools, Cardiac CT and MR, and PET/CT-PET/MR imaging. We also seek to emphasize how these new techniques can support diagnosis and help treat difficult cases that go beyond our routine and cover the up-to-date imaging approach of the “Heart Team”.