New Horizons for Failing Heart Syndrome brings together the latest knowledge on heart failure syndrome and the status of research on heart failure in Japan, compiling the results of the Japanese Circulation Society's second research series. Contents include the molecular mechanism of heart failure, mechanics of contraction of the failing heart, energetics of the failing heart, exercise physiology, and new aspects of management of heart failure. The Japanese Circulation Society's 3-year project for research on heart failure was conducted in two series, the first from 1988 to 1991 and the second from 1992 to the spring of 1995. The present volume embodies the most up-to-date overview of current research being carried out in Japan today, and will be of special interest to cardiologists, researchers, and other practitioners in the field.