Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Osmotic Drug Delivery to Ischemic Hindlimbs and Perfusion of Vasculature with Microfil for Micro-Computed Tomography Imaging
Published on: June 29, 2013
Microcirculation: target therapy in cardiovascular diseases - a clinical perspective
Ramon F Abarquez1, Jude Erric L Cinco
1Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital-College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines. cvlab@cm.upm.edu.ph
Vascular mismatches can cause microvascular disease (MVD), impacting hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD). Treatments like digitalis can mitigate MVD and apoptosis, potentially slowing heart failure progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Microcirculation maintains tissue homeostasis through matched supply and demand.
- Stimuli can disrupt this balance, leading to vascular-capillary matrix-tissue mismatch.
- This mismatch can trigger compensatory hyperplasia or apoptosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the implications of vascular-capillary matrix-tissue mismatch.
- To investigate the role of microvascular disease (MVD) and apoptosis in cardiovascular conditions.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of agents like digitalis in managing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- The study discusses the physiological mechanisms of microcirculation regulation.
- It examines the pathological outcomes of supply-demand mismatch.
- It reviews the effects of pharmacological agents on cellular processes and disease progression.
Main Results:
- Microvascular disease (MVD) arises from supply-demand mismatch, with significant prognostic implications in hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Apoptosis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of MVD.
- Digitalis and certain antihypertensive drugs exhibit anti-apoptotic and MVD-blunting effects.
Conclusions:
- Recognizing the role of apoptosis and MVD could shift clinical practice paradigms.
- These agents can control left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) development.
- This control may reduce the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Related Concept Videos
Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). Of...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

