Diseases affectIng the heart represent a major and costly burden to both society and to the individual. In this context, both intermediate coronary syndrome and chronic congestive heart failure are associated with unacceptably high levels of morbidity and mortality; especially among certain "high–risk" individuals. The studies described in this book were designed to identify and address (through the application of relatively novel and potentially useful adjunctive therapeutic strategies) some of the determinants of suboptimal therapeutic repsonse in both these conditions.