Surgery of Coronary Artery Disease

Bypass surgery (using veins from other parts of the body to replace diseased arteries in the heart) continues to be the intervention of choice for the majority of patients with coronary heart disease. Over 365,000 procedures are carried out a year in the USA; 25,000 in the UK. The AATS database of CAB procedures now numbers over one million clinical outcomes. While the standard procedures of bypass is well established and safe, clinical innovation looks sure to change practice over the next two years. Both minimally invasive (keyhole) and "beating heart" surgery (i.e. surgery without artificially stopping the heart and using cardiopulmonary bypass) have strong advocates and some benefits to the patient (e.g. less traumatic procedure, less physiological insult, better recovery time). The book contains a detailed section on patient investigation and selection together with detailed guidance on operative techniques. Surgery is considered within the overall management of patients with coronary artery disease, e.g. CAB often has to be used after re-stenosis of arteries following unsuccessful angioplasty. Follow-up and management of complications are also covered. Features: *Integrated color illustrations *Coverage of modern techniques *Fully revised and updated edition *Excellent clinical guidance on patient selection and management