Author Description

This book brings together current research on the way in which blood flow can regulate vascular function--with particular emphasis on vascular tone. Evidence that this occurs is derived from the study of isolated cellular and tissue systems, in vitro vascular segments and vascular beds from both animals and humans. It seems likely that flow-sensitive mechanisms are found in most arteries and veins. Considerable attention is devoted in this book to the role of the endothelium. It also examines the cellular and sub-cellular mechanisms involved, the effective stimulus, the signal transduction systems, the role of flow-dependent mechanisms in various physiological regulating processes and the role of flow in the long-term design of the circulation system. Included are chapters concerned with the involvement of flow-related mechanisms in disease, for example arteriosclerosis, vasospasm and their alteration in heart failure and hypertension. It may be that sensitivity to flow represents an important underlying characteristic of the vascular system essential to its role in bringing the desired volume of blood to tissues in amounts appropriate to their need.