This book provides in depths information on different microscopy approaches and supplies the reader with methods how to untangle highly complex processes involved in physiological and pathophysiological cardiac signaling. Microscopy approaches have established themselves as the quasi gold standard that enables us to appreciate the underlying mechanisms of physiological and pathophysiological cardiac signaling. This book presents the most important microscopy techniques from the level of individual molecule e.g. Förster-Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), up to cellular and tissue imaging, e.g. electron microscopy (TEM) or light sheet microscopy. The book is intended for graduate students and postdocs in cardiovascular research, imaging and cell biology, pre-clinical and clinical researchers in cardiovascular sciences as well as decision makers of the pharmaceutical industry.

This atlas comprises a complete and extensive exposure of the spatial and temporal aspects of human cardiac development as seen with scanning electron microscopy. Apart from serving as a unique overview on cardiac development in the human embryo, this atlas gives an updated morphological reference of cardiac embryology for topographic correlation and enables the projection of experimental results in animals to the human situation.

Key Features: Quick reference guide, Includes almost 200 scanning electron microscopy pictures, All photographs are paired with drawings that carry the legends, Provides detailed descriptions of the relevant developmental events. Steding's and Viragh's Scanning Electron Microscopy Atlas of the Developing Human Heart comprises a complete and extensive exposure of the spatial and temporal aspects of human cardiac development as seen with scanning electron microscopy. Apart from serving as a unique overview of cardiac development in the human embryo, this atlas gives an updated morphological reference of cardiac embryology for topographic correlation and enables the projection of experimental results in animals to the human situation.

Congenital heart disease, the most common birth defect, occurs up to 5% of live births in humans. Understanding the relationship between morphology and function during development in the embryonic heart has important medical implications. Our studies focus on developing non-invasive heart imaging tools to observe the dynamics of morphogenesis while the heart is growing and functioning. Our approach consists in setting up a computer-driven automated microscope equipped with high-speed and sensitive cameras, implementing sample mounting protocols, and developing image reconstruction and analysis software. In order to improve the specificity with which structures can be imaged in the beating heart, we developed multi-modal microscopy by combining high-speed and multi-color sequences taken in brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, respectively. In an effort to improve axial resolution in conventional widefield microscopy, we implemented dynamic optical projection tomography. To quantify variability when characterizing heart function, we developed in vivo high-throughput microscopy. Finally, we carried out joint and quantitative studies of heart morphogenesis and functiogenesis by use of a novel imaging technique, burst time-lapse microscopy (BTLM). This allowed building time-lapses revealing the morphogenesis of the highly dynamic cardiac valve leaflets as they progressively prevent retrograde flow between cardiac chambers. This work provides new insights into cardiogenesis and should allow better understanding of normal and diseased development. We anticipate that the developed tools will be applicable for imaging a wide range of dynamic biological samples.

Coordinated contraction of the heart allows for efficient pumping of blood to the body, supplying organs with oxygen necessary for metabolism. In heart disease, reduction of blood flow to heart muscle tissue can result in damage to the tissue over time. The adult heart, unlike other organs, has a limited capacity to recover from this damage causing the mechanical work the heart can perform to decline over time. While our ability to restore flow to the heart and mitigate abnormal electrically conducting tissue has improved over the last few decades, therapies which restore mechanical function improving cardiac output, through repair and healing of the cardiac muscle have not been realized in the clinic. Historic models used to study heart disease lack the ability to quantitative study the progression of individual cells within the living heart following an injury. Here I have taken some first steps in providing imaging methods and tools to allow the study of a more complete picture of heart disease in the context of the whole animal using multiphoton microscopy. I present methods for quantification of cellular resolved excitation and contraction, demonstrate the potential of THG as a label free signal to study the atherosclerotic plaque environment, and characterize some of the optical properties of the heart necessary to push the imaging depth accessible with current multiphoton technology.

Cardiovascular Pathology, Fourth Edition, provides users with a comprehensive overview that encompasses its examination, cardiac structure, both normal and physiologically altered, and a multitude of abnormalities. This updated edition offers current views on interventions, both medical and surgical, and the pathology related to them. Congenital heart disease and its pathobiology are covered in some depth, as are vasculitis and neoplasias. Each section has been revised to reflect new discoveries in clinical and molecular pathology, with new chapters updated and written with a practical approach, especially with regards to the discussion of pathophysiology. New chapters reflect recent technological advances with cardiac devices, transplants, genetics, and immunology. Each chapter is highly illustrated and covers contemporary aspects of the disease processes, including a section on the role of molecular diagnostics and cytogenetics as specifically related to cardiovascular pathology. Customers buy the Print + Electronic product together! Serves as a contemporary, all-inclusive guide to cardiovascular pathology for clinicians and researchers, as well as clinical residents and fellows of pathology, cardiology, cardiac surgery, and internal medicine Offers new organization of each chapter to enable uniformity for learning and reference: Definition, Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Pathogenesis/Genetics, Light and Electron Microscopy/Immunohistochemistry, Differential Diagnosis, Treatment and Potential Complications Features six new chapters and expanded coverage of the normal heart and blood vessels, cardiovascular devices, congenital heart disease, tropical and infectious cardiac disease, and forensic pathology of the cardiovascular system Contains 400+ full color illustrations and an online image collection facilitate research, study, and lecture slide creation