Cardiac surgery is associated with ischemia and reperfusion injury for most of the operations performed. During the last decades, major improvements have been done in reducing both ischemic and reperfusion injury and therefore improving the quality of the operation. This book summarizes the newest developments in this field. In addition, specific comments are made concerning the surgical application of the fields in all kinds of operation, including routine cases as well as complex procedures. The reader will gain a detailed insight regarding how to protect patients best during routine cardiac procedures (coronary artery revascularization and valve replacement) as well as prolonged, technically demanding operations