Publisher's Synopsis
This Symposium discussed the concept of cardiopreservation, which suggests that the prevention of cardiovascular diseases depends on the preservation of cardiac structure and function. The first part of the Symposium examined the prevention of heart failure in hypertensive patients. Professor Michael Bristow examined the mechanisms of development of heart failure in hypertensive patients and then Professor John Cleland put forward clinical recommendations for the prevention of heart failure in hypertension. In the second part of the Symposium the participants turned their attention to the role of beta-blockade in the management of heart failure. Professor Jay Cohn discussed whether beta-blocking agents can prevent heart failure and Professor Milton Packer gave recommendations for the use of these drugs in heart failure patients.;The Symposium featured an interactive voting system that allowed the audience to take part in the discussions with the panel and to express their opinions on a range of theoretical and practical issues. Key points from these discussions are summarized here.
