Book excerpt: A definitive, comprehensive text on the technological developments and clinical applications of this critical subject matter. Written for the entire heart surgery team, this volume covers the physiology of cardiopulmonary bypass, mechanics and components of the heart-lung machine, the conduct of cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery, non-cardiac applications of cardiopulmonary bypass, and mechanical assistance of the failing heart and lung. The authors also give special consideration to such areas as blood conservation in cardiac surgery, religions objections to blood transfusions, medical-legal aspects and cardiopulmonary bypass, as well as warm blood cardioplegia and normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass.