More than 10 years have passed since the memorable symposium on "Myocardial Contractility," edited by R. D. Tanz, F. Kavaler and J. Roberts (New York and London, Academic Press, 1967). PathogeneSis of myocardial failure still involves many questions. The latest scien­ tific findings on fundamentals of myocardial contraction encouraged us to organize this international symposium held in Rottach-Egern at Tegernsee (Germany), June 17 to 19, 1976 sponsored by the European Society of Cardio~ogy. It seemed appropriate to assemble prominent workers in this field in an attempt to correlate their respective in­ formation on cardiac function. In this connection it must be remembered that our present understand­ ing of the cardiovascular system and today's therapeutic and preventive measures are the fruits of yesterday's research. Further progress in this field will be conditioned by various circumstances: to win highly motivated creative people for clinical research, to mediate time and contacts for their learning new methods, and to provide adequate faci­ lities for scientific work in our hospitals. Therefore, the aim of the conference was to discuss those aspects of myocardial failure, that are believed to require further studies in the future by integrated efforts of research workers in several disciplines, especially to promote the pertinent exchange of ideas between basic and clinical research.