T e four heart valves reside in the center of the heart. T is indicates their crucial role in cardiac performance. Fau- less function of the valves is a prerequisite for unidir- tional forward movement of the blood, and such function is necessary to support the ef orts of the cardiac atria and ventricles. Healthy heart valves function gracefully and of er mechanical durability. Bioengineers have to marvel at the biomechanical evolution of these perfectly placed valves. Heart valves can be involved in pathological processes, however, and only then do we realize just how indispensable they really are. At one time, serious valve disorders used to be a matter of life and death for patients. Only in recent decades have surgeons been able to reverse the ominous course of heart valve disease and of er patients a quality of life and life span comparable to that of healthy persons. T e story of this ef ort began approximately 100 years ago, and today heart valve surgery is a substantial subspecialty of cardiac surgery, with accumulated experience in indications, procedures, risks, and outcomes. T e aim of this book is to present a richly illustrated compendium of the present knowledge related to heart valve surgery, based on the clinical expertise of the authors as well as the newest treatment modalities. T e authors thank Dr. Alireeza Matloobi from the Mayo Clinic for his help in preparating the book.

This text describes and illustrates with some 700 detailed anatomic and surgical drawings the whole spectrum of surgical procedures employed to treat acquired and congenital diseases of the heart and great vessels in adults and children. A rather traditional chapter on history of cardiac surgery precedes chapters dedicated to quality improvement, followed by ICU management in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery, and techniques of extracorporeal circulation in both age groups. Further special topics are cardiovascular tissue engineering, minimally invasive cardiac surgery, endovascular treatment of aortic diseases, and cardiac assist devices, including total artificial heart. Written by 71 internationally recognized experts from 40 cardiac units in Central Europe and North America, this book will be invaluable not only for both novice and experienced surgeons, but also for all physicians, nurses, and technicians caring for patients with heart disease of any type, at any age.

Long considered the bible of thoracic surgery, this comprehensive text guides readers through open and endoscopic surgical techniques with expert commentary by the leaders in thoracic surgery. Coverage includes extensive sections on lung cancer and other pulmonary tumors. Includes access to a companion Web site.

Previous editions of this book (formerly published in the Rob & Smith Series) have established it as the pre-eminent guide to operative surgery of the heart and great vessels. This new edition recognizes the increasing subspecialization in surgery by positioning the book for the specialist cardiac surgeon. The work is a major revision edited by

For nearly 25 years, medical students and faculty alike have chosen Essentials of General Surgery and its companion textbook, Essentials of Surgical Specialties, for authoritative coverage of surgical information that every physician in training should know. The Fifth Edition incorporates current research from the field; new sample questions, answers, and rationales; and new tables and algorithms. A new art program presents concepts and images—including an Appendix with 50 burn images—in full color for optimal learning and retention.