Preface

The perioperative period is vitally important in outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The proper evaluation of preoperative period, as well as improvement in standards of perioperative care of these patients have been helping to reduce mortality and morbidity rates following the cardiac surgery. Accordingly, the content of present textbook mainly covers various topics related to perioperative period in cardiac surgery. In order to organize the content, two books have been created. The first book focuses on topics both in preoperative and early postoperative periods of cardiac surgery. The book covers not only classical chapters such as anesthesia for pediatric heart surgery and management of pulmonary hypertension in intensive care unit, but also currently "hot" topics consisting of strategies of blood conversation and heparin induced thrombocytopenia. The second book covers miscellaneous issues such as fungal endocarditis after cardiac surgery, off pump versus on pump coronary artery bypass surgery and arrhythmia after cardiac surgery.

This book should prove to be a useful reference for trainees, senior surgeons and nurses in cardiac surgery, as well as anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and all the related health care workers who are involved in taking care of patients with heart disease which require surgical therapy.

This book aims to improve the knowledge and understanding of readers with regard to the background of perioperative period in cardiac surgery.

I hope these internationally cumulative and diligent efforts will provide patients undergoing cardiac surgery with meticulous perioperative care methods.

Numerous international authors have participated in the creation of this book. I have compiled their valuable experiences and contributions about critical issues in the field of cardiac surgery.

I greatly acknowledge the precious assistance of Ms. Molly Kaliman of InTech Publisher. I also would like to thank Ilker Kiris, MD, for his productive ideas in the course of preparing this book.

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Finally, upcoming decades should see even greater advances in the field of care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. I assure that improvements in technologies and surgical skills will help to accomplish this goal.

To my wife, Gokce and to our children, Kaya and Kayra.

**Assoc. Prof. Cuneyt Narin, MD**  Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Selcuk University Meram Medical School, Konya, Turkey

X Preface

Finally, upcoming decades should see even greater advances in the field of care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. I assure that improvements in technologies and

**Assoc. Prof. Cuneyt Narin, MD** 

Turkey

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery,

Selcuk University Meram Medical School, Konya,

surgical skills will help to accomplish this goal.

To my wife, Gokce and to our children, Kaya and Kayra.
