In open heart surgery, protection of the myocardium against injury by ischemia-reperfusion is an issue of utmost clinical interest. The knowledge on the causal mechanisms of myocardial injury in ischemia-reperfusion has greatly progressed in recent years, both to clinical and experimental research. This book provides a critical and comprehensive overview on the current discussion of myocardial protection in cardiac experimental research and surgery. Leading groups from Europe, the U.S. and Japan have contributed reviews of their special fields. On the basic science side, major topics...