Summary:
An Introduction to Cardiovascular Physiology provides the student with the key concepts of cardiovascular physiology, from the fundamentals of how the cardiovascular system works in both health and disease, through to a consideration of more complex physiological mechanisms. This brand new companion work Cardiovascular Physiology: Questions for Self-Assessment allows students to test themselves on all aspects of the topic with over 200 questions and answers, at a pace to suit their learning.
Questions follow An Introduction to Cardiovascular Physiology’s table of contents, and the author has set at least one question on each chapter’s learning objective to help the student to assess their progress against the set objectives. The questions are designed to test basic understanding, fundamental principles and medical relevance, and they avoid excessive detail. Most are in a multiple choice, True/False format, with a sprinkling of other question styles including extended matching questions, where the reader chooses the best answer from a list, and testing little numerical problems. Also included with the answers are ‘More information’ boxes that include a brief explanation, and links to relevant information and figures from a range of chapters, thus encouraging integration of learning across the subject.

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Over 200 questions with detailed answers
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Highly illustrated with explanatory line diagrams and tables to support answers
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Multiple choice questions using a true/false format plus a small selection of alternative question styles for variety


Table of Contents:
1. Overview of the cardiovascular system
2. The cardiac cycle
3. The cardiac myocyte: excitation and contraction
4. Initiation and nervous control of heartbeat
5. Electrocardiography and arrhythmias
6. Control of stroke volume and cardiac output
7. Assessment of cardiac output and peripheral pulse
8. Haemodynamics: flow, pressure and resistance
9. The endothelial cell
10. The microcirculation and solute exchange
11. Circulation of fluid between plasma, interstitium and lymph
12. Vascular smooth muscle: excitation, contraction and relaxation
13. Control of blood vessels I. Intrinsic control
14. Control of blood vessels II. Extrinsic control by nerves and hormones
15. Specialization in individual circulations
16. Cardiovascular receptors, reflexes and central control
17. Co-ordinated cardiovascular responses
18. Cardiovascular responses in pathological situations

About the Author(s):
J Rodney Levick is Professor of Physiology, St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London, UK