Handbook of Microcirculation (Physiology in Health and Disease)

This updated third edition of the very successful Handbook of Physiology – Microcirculation highlights the central role of microcirculation in all major cardiovascular functions. As the primary site of oxygen and nutrient exchange in any tissue, the microcirculation is also where other important phenomena are regulated. These include, blood pressure, blood flow and inflammatory responses. As alterations in microvascular function are major contributors to a host of diseases, an understanding of microcirculatory function is crucial for physiologists, health care professionals, and bioengineers.

Readers will gain insights into microvascular exchange functions, angiogenesis, the role of the endothelial glycocalyx in human disease, cerebral microcirculation and coronary microvascular resistance. The volume also addresses novel findings related to tumor microcirculation abnormalities, microvascular dysfunction related to COVID-19, and systemic inflammation and the impact of cannabinoids on microvascular health. Advances in computational models for the investigation of microvascular remodelling and the imaging of microvascular morphology and hemodynamics are also discussed.

This volume is indispensable for those seeking to understand the complexities of microvascular function and its implications for health and disease. Whether you are a researcher, clinician, or student, this book provides the latest research and expert analysis in the field of microcirculation.

Ronald F. Tuma is G.H. Stewart Professor of Physiology, Professor of Neurosurgery and Professor in the Center for Substance Abuse Research at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, USA. His research primarily focuses on inflammatory reactions that contribute to central nervous system injuries following stroke, trauma, and autoimmune diseases. He also investigates how modulation of specific cannabinoid receptors can influence the progression of these diseases. Findings from his work has provided valuable insights into potential therapeutic approaches for these conditions.

Jerome W. Breslin is Professor of Molecular Pharmacology and the Associate Chair of Education and Faculty Development Physiology at the University of South Florida, USA. His research looks at the effects of edema that occurs after traumatic injury or chronically with long-term diseases. His lab focus on understanding the mechanisms that promote healthy microvascular barrier and lymphatic transport functions at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole organism level has resulted in the identification of novel molecular mechanisms that could serve as potential therapeutic targets to prevent or resolve edema associated with traumatic injury, metabolic diseases, or lymphatic diseases.

Shayn Peirce-Cottler is Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia. She is also a Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor. Her laboratory focuses on engineering microvessels and combines wet lab and machine learning to study tissue healing and develop new therapies for tissue regeneration.  By addressing a critical bottleneck in tissue engineering on how to grow functional and sustainable microvessels, her work has provided significant insights into potential therapeutic approaches for tissue regeneration and microvascular health.

Walter Lee Murfee is Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, USA. His research focuses on microvascular dynamics, including the functional relationship between angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and neurogenesis. Through exploreing how to engineer functional vascularized tissues and studies vascular dysfunction associated with pathological conditions, his work has helped to develop therapies for vascular dysfunctions associated with conditions like hypertension, tumor growth, and wound healing.