Interstitial Fibrosis in Heart Failure, edited by Francisco J. Villarreal, M.D., Ph.D., provides a timely and integrative review of the basics of cardiac extracellular matrix structure. Topics covered include how cardiac remodeling influences its disposition, abundance and function; possible non-invasive techniques for diagnosis; and potential drug-based or molecular therapeutic strategies that may interrupt or even reverse the course of the development of cardiac fibrosis.

This resource for both clinicians and scientists aims to cover state-of-the-art findings relevant to cellular and molecular processes underlying cardiac fibrosis including basic elements of structure, function, diagnosis and treatment.

Francisco J. Villarreal, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, California.

Architecture of the Normal and Remodeled Heart.- The Architecture of the Heart: Myocyte Organization and the Cardiac Extracellular Matrix.- Extracellular Matrix and Cardiac Remodeling.- Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Cardiac Extracellular Matrix: Regulation of Fibroblast Phenotype.- Pharmacology of G-Protein-linked Signaling in Cardiac Fibroblasts.- Diagnostic Tools for the Identification of Myocardial Fibrosis and Changes in Ventricular Mechanics.- Serum Markers of Fibrillar Collagen Metabolism in Cardiac Diseases.- Ultrasonic Characterization of the Myocardium.- The Mechanics of the Fibrosed/Remodeled Heart.- Pathophysiology of Cardiac Remodeling and Fibrosis.- Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System and Cardiac Extracellular Matrix.- Matrix Metalloproteinases and Myocardial Remodeling.- Cardiac Mast Cells as Mediators of Ventricular Remodeling.- Matrix Metalloproteinasses in Cardiac Remodeling.- Turmoil in the Cardiac Myocyte: Acute Intracellular Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinases.- Regulation of Cardiac Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction..- Experimental Models of MMP Activation: Ventricular Volume Overload.- Prospect for Therapy of the Fibrosed Heart.- Targets for Pharmacological Modulation of Cardiac Fibrosis.- Biological and Functional Effects of Chronic Mechanical Support Induced by Left Ventricular Assist Devices on Failing Human Myocardium.- Molecular Strategies for the Prevention of Cardiac Fibrosis.- Prospects for Gene Therapy for the Fibrosed Heart: Targeting Regulators of Extracellular Matrix Turnover.- Therapeutic Potential of TIMPs in Heart Failure.