1. Editorial: Ischemic preconditioning

   Focussed issue Pages: 271 - 271

2. Do mitochondrial K_ATP channels serve as triggers rather than end-effectors of ischemic preconditioning's protection?

   • James M. Downey
   • Michael V. Cohen

   Focussed issue Pages: 272 - 274

3. Opening mitochondrial K_ATP in the heart – what happens, and what does not happen

   • Keith D. Garlid

   Focussed issue Pages: 275 - 279

4. The role of mitochondrial K_ATP channels in cardioprotection

   • Garret J. Gross

   Focussed issue Pages: 280 - 284

5. The role of mitochondrial K_ATP channels in cardioprotection

   • Toshiaki Sato
   • Eduardo Marbán

   Focussed issue Pages: 285 - 289

6. Potential role of endothelin-1 and endothelin antagonists in cardiovascular diseases

   • Simone Schmitz-Spanke
   • J. D. Schipke

   Review Pages: 290 - 298

7. Influence of intercellular junctions on endothelin secretion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro

   • Fabian Kiessling
   • Daniel Becker
   • Christlieb Haller

   Original contribution Pages: 299 - 307

8. Lack of nuclear apoptosis in cardiomyocytes and increased endothelin-1 levels in a rat heart model of myocardial stunning

   • Michael Klainguti
   • Sigrid Aigner
   • Dan Atar

   Original contribution Pages: 308 - 315

9. Differences in time course of myocardial mRNA expression in non-infarcted myocardium after myocardial infarction

   • Takashi Omura
   • Minoru Yoshiyama
   • Junichi Yoshikawa

   Original contribution Pages: 316 - 323

10. Electrophysiologic effects of the new I_Ks-blocking agent chromanol 293b in the postinfarction canine heart

    • Alexander Bauer
    • Ruediger Becker
    • Wolfgang Schoels

    Original contribution Pages: 324 - 332

11. Inefficient ventilation and reduced respiratory muscle capacity in congestive heart failure

    • F. Joachim Meyer
    • Christian Zugck
    • Mathias M. Borst

    Original contribution Pages: 333 - 342