Books

Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Volume V)

The book you are holding in your hands is the fifth in the series of “Perspectives” and summarises the presentations made by experts from all parts of the globe at the March 2019 SCTS-Ionescu University, which was held in London. As always the chapters are a distillation of the presentations which provide an update for the current situation in the ever-expanding speciality of cardiothoracic surgery. The work is comprehensively referenced and beautifully illustrated (especially the intra-operative photographs) and I know will be appreciated by all SCTS members. Many of the chapters present the dilemmas of management within our practice and are usefully both provocative and didactic in helping the reader understand the often very difficult decisions which have to be made by our patients when facing cardiothoracic surgery. A consistent theme of “Perspectives” is to ensure that the advice we give to patients is based on evidence when available, but if not that it originates from the special knowledge of cardiothoracic surgical experts andtheir teams whom we have been privileged to invite to join the Faculty of SCTS-Ionescu University.

In the current digital age to have a printed book such as this is always invaluable, especially given that most text-books become rapidly out of date by the time they are published. This never happens with “Perspectives” given the rapid turnaround time, for which the authors and the guest editors deserve full credit and our thanks. Bil Kirmani deserves our particular thanks as chief editor. He has seamlessly taken on the role this year and has lead the project with his usual energy, effectiveness and diplomacy, with the result that the work has been completed well ahead of schedule, despite the need to work with dozens of colleagues throughout the world.

This project would not have been possible without the vision and long-term support of Mr Marian Ionescu, not only for the SCTS-Ionescu University and the resulting “Perspectives” publications but all he does to support STCS Education. Perspectives Volume 5 is another superb example of his enthusiasm for all things educational and therefore the major part of our thanks go to him.

Richard Page, President 2018-20
Simon Kendall, President elect 2020-2022

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Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Volume IV)

As you will see from this beautifully written and presented book, the SCTS Ionescu University goes from strength to strength. This current work summarises the presentations made at the 2018 meeting in Glasgow, which once again had a record attendance. Delegates were privileged to hear presentations from experts from all over the world on all the current controversial areas of practice in our speciality. We are grateful to all the speakers who made the meeting such a great success. Indeed, the main problem for the organisers is to fit everything in to one day. The feedback was, as always, excellent and we look forward to the next SCTS Ionescu University in London. This will be the 10th anniversary since its inception, and it is fitting to recognise at this time the inspiration of Ian Wilson, whose vision when he organised the University in 2010 has led to what you all see today – one of the best educational events in cardiothoracic surgery anywhere in the world.

This latest volume of “Perspectives” is one of the largest yet and is a very worthy addition to any cardiothoracic surgeon’s bookshelf. In these days of electronic publications, it is always a pleasure to have an actual printed book to browse through. We would like to thank all who have contributed to the detailed and well-referenced chapters, and the editors for bringing it all together. Steven Woolley has for many years been the guest editor for thoracic surgery and, as always, has done a great job. It is a pleasure to welcome and thank Bil Kirmani as guest cardiac surgery editor. Particular thanks go to Paul Modi who has been the lead editor since “Perspectives” first emerged as a record of the SCTS Ionescu University in 2015. As anyone knows who has done this sort of thing, Paul has done a truly fantastic job in what is a very difficult task – coordinating presentations and submissions from authors in many parts of the world and bringing it all together in the great work you have in your hands as you read this. Paul will be handing over the lead editor role to Bil for the next publication and we wish him a well-earned break, although I know Bil and Steve will be reassured that they will be able to draw on his expertise in the future.

Finally, on behalf of the whole SCTS, we would like to thank Mr Marian Ionescu for his unstinting support for our Society, not only for the SCTS Ionescu University and his helpwith the production and publication of Perspectives, but for all he does for SCTS Education.

We are very lucky to have him as our colleague.

Richard Page, President 2018-20
Simon Kendall, President elect 2020-2022

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Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Volume III)

It is, once again, a pleasure to introduce the third volume in the series ‘Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery’. In this volume, the highlights of the third SCTS Ionescu University, held in Belfast on 12th March 2017, are published. This was the most successful SCTS Ionescu University to date with 473 delegates. The twelve streams of the University addressed the key, contemporary issues in cardiac and thoracic surgery. Their presentation as edited, scholarly articles in the printed form we believe enhances their educational value and makes ‘Perspectives’ one of the important educational tools available to the cardiothoracic surgeons of today and tomorrow. We are grateful to the authors of the chapters for their time and scholarship. The Section Editors Yasir Abu-Omar, Mark Field, Steven Woolley and Michael Shackcloth have all been essential contributors to the production of the book. Paul Modi as Series Editor has, once again put in much hard work bringing the project to fruition.

It is always a pleasure to recognise the contribution of Mr Marian Ionescu both for his inspiration as Invited Editor and for his support for the University itself and for the publication of this book. We very much hope that you enjoy reading this third volume of ‘Perspectives’ and that it imparts pleasure as well as education.

Graham Cooper, President 2016-18
Richard Page, President Elect 2018-2020

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Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Volume II)

It is a privilege for us to introduce the second volume of Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery. As Invited Editor, Mr Marian Ionescu noted in his post scriptum to Volume 1 that cardiothoracic surgery is in a period of intense scientific activity. The evidence from the SCTS Ionescu University 2016 is that this activity continues. There were twelve streams to the University in 2016 and, in Volume 2 of Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery, we have concentrated on two areas; surgery of the thoracic aorta and minimally invasive lung resection. The chapters on these topics certainly show how intense this activity is and how
it benefits our patients.

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Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery (Volume I)

With the publication of ‘Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery – The SCTS Ionescu University 2015’ we are pleased to be able to publish the key presentations edited in a more scholarly format for the benefit of the SCTS membership and the wider profession. These perspectives are up to date reviews of areas of clinical practice authored and edited by leading experts who have kindly contributed to this next phase of education from the SCTS Education Committee and Annual Meeting.

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The Pericardial Heart Valve

The SCTS is delighted to provide this definitive text which details the iterative development of the pericardial heart valve from concept to widespread clinical application. The history offers inspiration to future generations of cardiac surgeons whilst providing a discerning insight for current implanting clinicians.

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