Congestive heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the U.S. and is associated with significant mortality. Until recently, few surgical therapies were available for severe end stage congestive heart failure short of cardiac transplantation. With the introduction of better surgical techniques and improved pre- and post -operative medical management, traditional surgeries for severe left ventricular dysfunction can now be performed with reasonable success. These improvements in techniques and technologies offer us the current day options for end stage heart failure patient care. The editors have brought together experts on the latest clinical, scientific and investigational surgical approaches that interact with this challenging group of patients, and will enable treatment through a multidisciplinary approach.
