Cardiac Fibrosis and Heart Failure

Cardiac fibrosis is the excess deposition of extracellular matrix in the cardiac muscle. It can also be used to imply an abnormal thickening of the heart valves due to the multiplication of cardiac fibroblasts. Fibrocyte cells play a crucial role in providing structural support to the heart, apart from releasing collagen. In a situation where this process is over-activated, it produces an increased amount of collagen which leads to the thickening and fibrosis of the valve. The right-sided heart failure and valvular dysfunction are the major consequences of the thickening and loss of flexibility in the cardiac muscle. There are three different types of myocardial fibrosis, namely, interstitial fibrosis, subepicardial fibrosis, and replacement fibrosis. The objective of cardiac fibrosis treatment is to prevent the production of serotonin, which is responsible for producing archetype pattern of right-sided cardiac fibrosis. This book provides significant information of this discipline to help develop a good understanding of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and post graduate students.