At a time when knowledge about microvascular physiology and subcellular myocardial and vascular biochemistry has accumulated at such a tremendous rate, I perceive that a realistic global understanding of the cardiovascular system has been partially lost in that voluminous accumulation of minutiae. In order to be able to see "the forest, and not just individual leaves on the trees," one must first have a clear understanding of the gross mechanical function of the cardiovascular system as a whole. Join discussion...

A recent review from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on developments in the field of electrophysiology during the year 2006 was posted in Medscape May 21. I thought it was worth linking here, as it contains several items of general clinical interest. Some highlights follow. Join discussion...