ABSTRACT
Heart disease is the commonest cause of death in the Western world. Approximately 40000 open heart procedures are performed annually in the UK,l and worldwide the figure is closer to 1000000. 2 About 85% of adult cardiac surgery in the UK is performed for ischemic heart disease, and 15%for valvular heart disease, with aortic valve surgery about twice as common as mitral.' The fact that the anesthesiologist contributes to the outcome of heart surgery is accepted. This chapter deals with the preparation of patients for heart surgery, the conduct of anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass, and postoperative care.
