The motivation for this book was the recognition by two of us (RL and TL) that, despite our training as cardiologists, we had a limited understand ing of many aspects of the surgical management of our patients. Conversa tions with other cardiologists at our own institution and at other medical centers around the country convinced us that many of our colleagues shared our uncertainty about the details of surgical procedures and the factors that determine decisions in the perioperative period. As surgical techniques continue to evolve, this knowledge gap can become only more severe. We...

The motivation for this book was the recognition by two of us (RL and TL) that, despite our training as cardiologists, we had a limited understand ing of many aspects of the surgical management of our patients. Conversa tions with other cardiologists at our own institution and at other medical centers around the country convinced us that many of our colleagues shared our uncertainty about the details of surgical procedures and the factors that determine decisions in the perioperative period. As surgical techniques continue to evolve, this knowledge gap can become only more severe. We...