Atherosclerosis

This is the second of a number of international symposia which will, I hope, continue to be held until atherosclerosis is no longer a major problem. The first symposium was held three years ago in Athens, Greece, under the chairmanship 1 of Dr. Constantinos]. Miras , who, although he could not attend this symposium, participated actively in the deliberations of this Program Committee. Atherosclerosis together with its sequelae constitute the most important source of morbidity and mortality in civilized countries. While a major attack is being made on the consequences, the sequelae of this disease, not enough attention is being paid to the basic cause, atherosclerosis. Yet, if the basic disease were eradicated, the major concern of this symposium, the sequelae would constitute only a minor and rare disease group. The approach of the Program Committee was to bring together experts in the multiple disciplines which have a bearing on atherosclerosis. There is a great need for an exchange of ideas from various groups studying the basic process in many divergent ways. The hope we have is that those present (or those later studying the Proceedings) may be stimulated to attack the problem in new ways. Perhaps a breakthrough will be made or, at least, a brick or two added to build the structure, a rampart needed to defend against atherosclerosis. Better still, their contributions may help to confine it to a small area.