Book excerpt: The text manages to bridge the distance between anesthesia residents, fellow in cardiac anesthesia, anesthesiology pratitioners, perfusionists, and CRNAs. Presented in outline format, it is a comprehensive overview of cardiac anesthesia. The text progresses from cardiac physiology and pharmacology to anesthetic management of specific cardiac surgical procedures to management of cardiac disorders, to circulatory support and organ preservation. It ends with a section on thoracic anesthesia and pain management in cardiac and thoracic procedures. Includes a new, more significant chapter on cardiac physiology and a new chapter on pericardial disease. New content added on adult congenital heart disease and new material on percutaneous valvaes.