K+ channels in cardiovascular medicine : from basic science to clinical practice

Recent years have seen dramatic advances in the understanding of the roles played by K+ channels in cell function, together with the development of many drugs targeted on K+ channels that enable these functions to be modified in specific ways. K+ channels have therefore moved on from being the almost exclusive preserve of the cellular electrophysiologist to a position where the appreciation of their functions and pharmacology is becoming important for many aspects of medical research and practice. In contrast, the literature on K+ channels has often remained relatively obscure for the non-specialist. This book was conceived from the belief that there was a need for an accessible and comprehensive approach to the properties, functions, and pharmacology of K+ channels in the heart and vascular muscle. The book is a compilation of review articles written by experts from both the medical and scientific communities. Each chapter aims to provide a clear summary of the most up-to-date concepts, avoiding jargon and overcomplicated discussions.