Surgery for Coronary Heart Disease

Bypass surgery continues to be the intervention of choice for the majority of patients with coronary heart disease. Over 365,000 procedures are carried out each year in the USA; 25,000 in the UK. While the standard procedures of bypass is well-established and safe, clinical innovation looks sure to change practice. Both minimally invasive ('keyhole') and 'beating heart' surgery have strong advocates and some benfits to the patient. This book is a major revision of a successful Chapman and Hall title first published in 1986. It contains a detailed section on patient investigation and selection together with guidance on operative techniques. Surgery is considered within the overall management of patients with coronary heart disease. Follow-up and management of complications are also covered.