Cardioplegia

"Cardioplegia" presents a compilation of contributions from pioneers of new concepts, seasoned investigators and clinicians who offer critiques of new ideas, and young investigators and cardiac surgeons actively pursuing fundamental and clinical research by testing basic concepts and new techniques. Topics discussed include warm heart surgery, retrograde cardioplegia, neonatal myocardial contracture associated with hypothermic perfusion, and the roles of adenosine, free radicals and other metabolic substrates. The mechanisms and clinical implications of altered myocardial states, including hibernation, stunning and pre-conditioning, are also explored.