Second revised edition. Saroja Bharati, Maurice Lev, and John W. Kirklin. 159 pages. Mount Kisco, New York: Futura Publishing Company; 1992. $75.00.

Many cardiology and cardiac surgical textbooks discuss, to some degree, the nuances of cardiac anatomy and the conduction system. This book, however, is the first unifying text describing in detail the conduction system of both the normal and abnormal heart.

The conduction system is at risk in most cardiac surgical procedures, particularly in those involving complex intracardiac repairs. For the cardiac surgeon, the anatomy of the conduction system is at times difficult to comprehend. Fortunately, in this second edition, renowned pathologists Saroja Bharati and Maurice Lev, as well as cardiac surgeon John Kirklin, present in brilliant detail not only the intricacies of the conduction system, but also the surgical approach to those defects in which the conduction system is at risk. Through a thorough understanding of the anatomy and surgical approach, damage to the conduction system can be minimized to the patients' benefit. The second edition follows the same format as the first edition, with an expansion of anatomical and histologic illustrations as well as of the discussion of the conduction system as related to the arterial switch procedure. The text is well illustrated and clearly reflects the surgical expertise of John Kirklin. I believe that this text is essential for all practicing cardiac surgeons and pediatric cardiologists.