Perioperative myocardial ischemia and infarction. Preface.

The chapters in this issue of International Anesthesiology Clinics deal with the detection, pathophysiology, and current treatment of myocardial ischemia and infarction. The editors and authors are concerned, in both their clinical and investigative activities, with the perioperative management of patients with cardiac disease. Some of them have previously written reviews in their particular areas of expertise, but the material presented herein is newly prepared and current. Several of the chapters are extensive expositions of subjects only briefly considered elsewhere. The editors hope this publication will inform clinicians and investigators and challenge them to further improve perioperative care in patients with cardiac disease.