Within the complexities of endocarditis, explosive advances in medical and surgical technology have combined with a better understanding of the disease process by attending physicians and surgeons, resulting in a reduced mortality of 10 to 15 percent over the past 40 years. The discoveries of antibiotics, cardiopulmonary bypass, better blood cultures, echocardiography and valve replacements have converged to form a disease-oriented approach to its evaluation and early intervention. By focusing on advances and current technologies in the diagnosis, management and treatment of endocarditis, this work provides clinicians with contemporary, multidisciplinary awareness about infectious diseases, cardiopulmonary dysfunction from sepsis and valvular destruction, application and intepretation of echocardiography, use of inotropic and vasoactive drugs, surgical options to eradicate and treat valvular infection and clinical laboratory tests to diagnose and assess adequacy of treatment. Pediatric surgery of infective endocarditis, prosthetic valve and fungal endocarditis are also special considerations. Written by leading clinicians recognised for their respective topics, this volume is essential reading for cardiac surgeons, cardiac surgery residents and fellows, thoracic surgical specialists, and manufacturers of valve replacements and tissues. Astute clinicians who confer with these timely insights drawn from history, physiology and surgery stand for an improved outcome in endocarditis patients.