Browse Hierarchy ICM6023: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world and is fast becoming a comparable problem in the developing countries. The module describes some of the mechanical factors that underlie the pathogenesis and progression of vascular disease. This requires a brief outline of fluid dynamical and elasticity theory sufficient to understand the properties of extensible and non-linearly elastic materials such as arteries, and the behaviour of blood flowing in them. This approach is not commonly followed in the preclinical medical course, but it provides an essential adjunct to the biochemical and metabolic description of cardiovascular disease that students will encounter in their clinical studies.