The advances in the field of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease continue at an increasingly rapid pace and it is an arduous task for those not directly involved to keep up with the latest developments. The papers presented at the 7th Meeting on Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Disease, held in Bologna, as part of the Ninth Centenary of the foundation of the University of Bologna, have been collected together here with the aim of providing all the latest information for doctors and research workers concerned with this important branch of medicine. We are pleased to be able to thank all those who joined us in celebrating the oldest university in the world. The scientific contributions, of the highest level, are valid proof of the tradition of exchanging experiences and of the continual up-dating of knowledge in the different sectors of lipid metabolism, genetics, physiopathology, pathological anatomy, bio­ chemical and clinical diagnosis, diet, pharmacological and non-pharmacological ther­ apy. The numerous contributions made by authors in the field of epidemiology and the prevention of atherosclerosis were also fundamental since not only research centres but also doctors all over the world are engaged in the battle which was defined by the WHO, twenty-five years ago, as the most important epidemic of the modern age.