Why vascular medicine? Why Vascular Medicine Review?
Abstract
i EditorialWhy vascular medicine? Why Vascular Medicine Review? SAGE Publications, Inc.1990DOI: 10.1177/1358836X9000100101 Although the major organs of the body are well represented in the traditional medical subspecial- ties, such a viscus-orientated approach to the art and science of medicine means that certain functional systems may not be considered in their entirety, and indeed significant parts may escape emphasis altogether. Given that vascular diseases collectively represent the leading cause of death in developed countries, it is remarkable that the specialty of angiology still struggles for acceptance alongside more conventional disciplines such as cardiology and gastroenterology. Whatever the politics of this situation the fact remains that there is a need for expert knowledge in the area of vascular medicine. Without such knowledge, and the focusing of attention it brings, it is unlikely that the wealth of new theoretical and experimental information regarding vascular biology will be appreciated and utilized to the best and most immediate clinical advantage. Furthermore, such expert knowledge provides critical capacity with which to judge such new developments, and hence avoid the adoption of ill-conceived notions or clinical strategies that might evade the scrutiny of the less well informed. Given the need for angiological expertise, how do