Heart-kidney-adrenal interactions

The heart-kidney-adrenal theme at the 42(nd) << Journees internationales d' Endocrinologie Clinique - Henri-Pierre Klotz >> held in Paris in April 1999 was chosen for at least two reasons. First, cardiovascular signs and sympt oms are part of the most important and frequent endocrinopathies whose cour se is often characterized by cardiovascular complications. Secondly, the tr eatment of hypertension, heart failure and vascular nephropathies, as well as the prevention of atherosclerosis, call for homonal treatment or therape utic intervention with agents acting upon endocrine systems that regulate c ardiac, renal and vascular functions. The endocrinology specialist should t herefore have full knowledge of the latest progress in the fields of the ph ysiological and pathophysiological function of these systems, of the cellul ar mode of action of the hormones targeting the vardiovascular system, thei r genesis in classical endocrine organs, and also their local formation and action in tissues. Finally, it is important to be aware of the new therape utic approaches opened by these recent developments.