Teleologically, the hemostatic mechanism is among The of Coronary Thrombosis and the most fundamental yet complex physiologic pro- in essence, represents a heartfelt gift of cesses in humans. Early scientists and physicians were knowledge from a dedicated group of scientists and fascinated by the blood's ability to remain in a liquid clinicians, who collectively have set out on a mission state only to clot in response to vascular injury. The to minimize the societal impact of"hemostasis in the cellular and noncellular components of normal wrong place. " The book is divided into four distinct hemostasis took centuries to discover, and the intrica- sections: Part 1, Scientific Principles, lays down the cies of their delicate interactions are still being unrav- supporting foundation; Part 2, Clinical Application eled today. As is so often the case, an in-depth of Scientific Principles, places the knowledge base in appreciation of physiologic hemostasis, representing a a working perspective, directly applying science to basic life-sustaining sequence of events, paved the patient care; Part 3, New Dimensions, provides a way for understanding abnormal hemostasis or glimpse of tomorrow. Steering the field clear of se- pathologic thrombosis. Aristotle, Malpighi, and proclaimed victory and the dangers of complacency as Osier, representing but a few of the founding fathers we move into the 21st century, Part 4, Evolution of in the field, would undoubtedly be honored to see Thrombocardiology, focuses on laboratory standards, their observations form the template for lifesaving clinical trials, and drugs in development.

Scientific Principles.- Biochemistry of Intra Vascular Clotting: Focus on the Prothrombinase Complex.- Plasma Coagulation Factors.- Platelets: Structure, Function, and Their Fundamental Contribution to Hemostasis and Pathologic Thrombosis.- Molecular Regulation of Fibrinolysis.- Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1.- Biological Effects of Targeted Gene Inactivation and Gene Transfer of the Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Systems in Mice.- Molecular Approaches to The Design of New Thrombolytic Agents.- Endothelial Cell Biology.- Physiology of Vascular Homeostasis.- Coronary Vascular Pharmacology.- Experimental Models of Coronary Arterial Resistance and Blood Flow.- Pathogenesis of the Acute Coronary Syndromes: Hypotheses Generated from Clinical Experience.- Plaque Disruption and Thrombosis: Models to Evaluate Acute Cardiovascular Events.- Developing Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Agents: The Role of Experimental Models.- Clinical Application of Scientific Principles.- Streptokinase: Biochemistry and Phamacokinetics.- Anistreplase (Anisoylated Plasminogen Streptokinase Activator Complex, Apsac) in Coronary Thrombolysis.- Biochemistry, Pharmacokinetics, and Dynamics of Single- and Two- Chain Urokinase.- Staphylokinase: Biochemistry And Pharmacodynamics.- Novel Tissue Plasminogen Activators: Reteplase (R-PA).- Chemistry, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of T-PA, TNK and DSPA Alpha 1.- National Goals and Perspectives for Improving Patient Care: the National Heart Attack Alert Program.- Delays in Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Emergency Department: Reducing Door to Drug Time.- Factors Associated With Prehospital Delay And Overview Of Community Trials To Reduce The Duration Of Prehospital Delay In Patients With Symptoms Of Acute Coronary Disease.- Emergency Medical Services.- Prehospital Approaches to Treating Sudden Cardiac Death and Acute Myocardial Infarction.- Identification of Acute Cardiac Ischemia in the Emergency Department.- The Scientific Basis and Rationale For Early Thrombolytic Therapy.- Patient Selection for Thrombolytic Therapy for Evolving Myocardial Infarction.- Aspirin, Heparin, and New Antithrombotic Drugs as Adjuncts to Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Myocaradial Infarction.- New Antiplatelet Strategies in the Adjunctive Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction.- Experimental Evidence for Enhancement of Thrombolysis by Conventional Thrombolytic Drugs.- Early Diagnosis of Myocardial Infarction with MB-CK Subforms.- Troponins as early markers of acute myocardial infarction.- Markers of Thrombosis and Fibrinolysis.- Markers of Coronary Recanalization after Thrombolysis.- Anticoagulant Monitoring.- Anticoagulation Monitoring for Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty.- Monitoring Chronic Oral Anticoagulant Therapy.- Hemorrhagic Complications.- Gene therapy for the vulnerable plaque.- Gene Therapy: Vector Design and Current Challenges.- New Dimensions.- Role of Inflammation Following Myocardial Ischemia and Reperfusion.- Estrogen and Cardiovascular Disease.- Evolution of Thrombocardiology.- Drugs in Development.- Clinical Trials of Novel Antithrombotics: Basic Concepts of Study Design and Methodology.- A Glossary of Terms in Thrombocardiology.