Advances in vascular biology bring physicians the opportunity to apply new concepts in the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease. These concepts are founded on a growing understanding of the molecular biology of the vascular system and the role of the endothelium.

Our understanding of impaired endothelial function that is associated with cardiovascular disease has been enhanced by recent clinical trials of tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. The results show that improvement of endothelial function with tissue ACE inhibition is accompanied by highly favorable cardiac outcomes, thus offering hew hope for the treatment of patients with these problems.

This monograph is the fourth in a series of educational programs on Vascular Biology in Clinical Practice^TM. The overall purpose of this series is to help translate the remarkable advances in vascular biology into improved patient care.