The demographic and social structure of most industrialized and developing countries are changing rapidly as infant mortality is reduced and population life span has increased in dramatic ways. In particular, the oldest old (85+) population has grown and will continue to grow. This segment of the population tends to suffer physical and cognitive decline, and little information is available to describe how their positive and negative distal experiences, habits and intervening proximal environmental influences impact their well-being, and how social and health policies can help meet the unique challenges they face. Understanding Well-Being in the Oldest Old is the outcome of a four-day workshop attended by U.S. and Israeli scientists and funded by the U.S.-Israel Bi-National Science Foundation to examine both novel and traditional paradigms that could extend our knowledge and understanding of the well-being of the oldest old.

Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery presents the fundamentals of surgical care for the fastest growing segment of the US population, providing a vital integration of operative strategies with the physiological changes of aging. Among the topics covered are the endocrine system, otolaryngology, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, GI system, hepatobiliary system, urogenital system, soft tissue and musculoskeletal system, neurosurgery, and transplantation.

Oxford Textbook of Anaesthesia for the Elderly Patient provides provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of all aspects of anaesthesia for the elderly patient looking at the effect of ageing on the systems of the body and the role that age has on drug mechanisms.

Heart Valves—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ book that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Pulmonary Valve. The editors have built Heart Valves—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Pulmonary Valve in this book to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Heart Valves—Advances in Research and Application: 2013 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

The surgical treatment of the aortic valve and root disease, organic and ischemic mitral regurgitation, and endocarditis has made great strides. This book focuses on surgical approaches to and various trends in aortic valve repair, aortic root and valve replacement with pulmonary autograft, aortic allograft, stentless and stented bioprostheses.

CARLO CONTI You are today confronting sensitive questions on the subject of "Cardiac surgery and heart diseases in old age" and I congratulate you on this. It is a brave and important step to discuss this multifaceted question which demands an answer and an explanation from many perspectives: From a medical perspective, there is the question of the medical feasibility and durability of treatment. From an economic angle we ask ourselves whether we can pay for everything that is medically feasible. From the patient's perspective there is the legitimate de sire and the justified need not to leave anything untried that might serve to sustain or improve the quality of life. The ethical perspective: is what is feasible really desirable? Should everything be done simply because it can be done? Is it ethically acceptable to set an age limit on an opera tion that in all probability will produce an improvement in the quality of life? And if so, where does this limit lie? Below it surgery is "worthwhile" but above it is not? No one in all seriousness and with a clean conscience will want to draw this line randomly or arbitrarily. That ap pears to us - quite rightly - morally unacceptable. The doctors' perspective: they are obliged by the Hippo cratic oath in principle to carry out all the treatments that are indicated and comply with the rules of the art of med ICIne.

This reference book compiles the most recent developments in experimental and clinical research and practice in one comprehensive edition. The chapters are written by well recognized experts in the field of intensive care and emergency medicine. It is addressed to everyone involved in internal medicine, anesthesia, surgery, pediatrics, intensive care and emergency medicine.

This book is part of a series covering surgical specialties. The volumes are multi-authored, containing brief chapters, each of which are devoted to one or two specific questions or decisions within that specialty that are difficult or controversial. The volumes are intended as a current and timely reference source for practicing surgeons, surgeons in training, and educators that describe the recommended ideal approach, rather than customary care, in selected clinical situations.

Cardiovascular Diseases—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2013 Edition is a ScholarlyEditions™ book that delivers timely, authoritative, and comprehensive information about Vascular Diseases. The editors have built Cardiovascular Diseases—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2013 Edition on the vast information databases of ScholarlyNews.™ You can expect the information about Vascular Diseases in this book to be deeper than what you can access anywhere else, as well as consistently reliable, authoritative, informed, and relevant. The content of Cardiovascular Diseases—Advances in Research and Treatment: 2013 Edition has been produced by the world’s leading scientists, engineers, analysts, research institutions, and companies. All of the content is from peer-reviewed sources, and all of it is written, assembled, and edited by the editors at ScholarlyEditions™ and available exclusively from us. You now have a source you can cite with authority, confidence, and credibility. More information is available at http://www.ScholarlyEditions.com/.

The Aim of "Current Concepts of General Thoracic Surgery" is to provide a brief overview of several topics in this field. It includes a collection of contributions from many outstanding Authors who provide their knowledge and experience from many countries around the world. We apologize for the chapters reviewed that have were not chosen for publication in this book; however, according to the single centres experience, the final result offers thorough and precious information on the several topics evaluated by the Authors. The wide range of subjects discussed goes from CT assessment of solitary pulmonary and metastatic nodules to prospective studies of drug delivery in thoracic surgery including surgical risk prediction, stress reaction, robotic pulmonary and cardiac procedures, vascular and thoracic reconstruction techniques, thoracic trauma and mediastinal fistula. I believe that this book represents an enhancement in the knowledge and in the involvement of individuals dedicated to these areas of study. It is my duty and pleasure to thank colleagues who helped me in the interesting and stimulating review process; Dr. Stefano Pasquino for cardiac surgery and Professor Francesco Puma for his many worthwhile suggestions.