Introduction

Abstract

Coronary artery disease, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular pathology are the leading causes of death in industrialized nations, accounting for approximately half of all mortality. Through myocardial ischemia, heart failure and cerebral infarction, cardiovascular diseases cripple, weaken and otherwise rob the quality from the lives of tens of millions, sometimes for decades before the final morbid aspect of the disease. Accordingly, research directed to finding causes, preventative measures and cures for these diseases has received high priority in the countries of the industrialized world.