This book discusses the whole spectrum of cardiac reconstruction as a concept; it is the first time that various aspects of reconstructions of different components of the heart are compended together in one volume. The contributions from both European and American specialists describe and discuss recent innovations as well as short- and long-term results, thus enabling the reader to compare the approaches and results of different groups in the frontier areas of cardiac surgery. An introductory overview in each section of the book acquaints even initiates with the evolutionary continuity and the background information relevent to different categories of reconstructive procedures.