This book offers an extensive review of the most recent data on the pathophysiological role of structural and functional alterations in the microcirculation, particularly focusing on hypertension and diabetes. It covers several relevant and innovative aspects, including the possible mechanisms involved in the development of microvascular remodeling and rarefaction, the technical approaches available for the detection of microvascular alterations, including non-invasive evaluations, the prognostic role of changes in small resistance artery structure, the possibility of preventing or regressing such alterations with appropriate treatment, and the potential clinical advantages of such intervention. A number of innovative areas of research are considered, including the role of the immune system, inflammation and oxidative stress in the development of microvascular alterations. Lastly, it examines the availability of recent non-invasive methods for the evaluation of small resistance artery morphology in the retina, which in the near future may provide a useful tool for the stratification of cardiovascular risk and even for clinical decisions regarding drug treatment, thus providing physicians with a clinically relevant instrument for improving and optimizing the management of hypertensive and diabetic patients. The book provides valuable, clinically relevant information for specialists (cardiology, internal medicine, and endocrinology) and general practitioners, and also offers novel and stimulating data to basic and clinical researchers.

Chapter 1 Structure and Function of the Microcirculation

Chapter 2 Assessment of Small Artery Structure and Function by Micromyography
Chapter 3 Assessment of Retinal Arteriolar Morphology by SLDF
Chapter 4 Assessment of Retinal Arteriolar Morphology by Adaptive Optics
Chapter 5 The Cerebral Microcirculation
Chapter 6 Role of Inflammation in Microvascular Damage
Chapter 7 Immune Mechanisms in Vascular Remodeling in Hypertension
Chapter 8 Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Hypertension
Chapter 9 Interrelationships Between Micro and Macrocirculation
Chapter 10 Alterations in Capillary and Microcirculatory Networks in Cardiovascular Diseases
Chapter 11 Microvascular Alterations in Obesity
Chapter 12 Microvascular Alterations in Diabetes: Focus on Small Resistance Arteries
Chapter 13 Cardiovascular Effects of Anti-angiogenic Drugs
Chapter 14 Pathophysiological Mechanisms Implicatedin Organ Damage and Cardiovascular Events
Chapter 15 The Role of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Arterial Function in Health and Disease
Chapter 16 Prognostic Role of Microvascular Damage and Effect of Treatment.