<div>BOOK REVIEW: Technical Aspects of Modern Coronary Artery Bypass</div><div>Robert F Tranbaugh, MD</div><div>Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York,
NY</div><div>Data Availability: NA</div><div>Funding: None</div><div>Conflict of Interest: None</div><div>International Review Board: NA</div><div>Informed Consent: NA</div><div>Corresponding author:</div><div>Robert F Tranbaugh, MD</div><div>Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery</div><div>Weill Cornell Medicine</div><div>505 East 68<sup>th</sup> Street</div><div>New York, NY 10065</div><div>Rft9008@med.cornell.edu</div><div>Word Count: 484</div><div>After recently purging most of my reference textbooks (many from the
1970’s and 1980’s and including the big names from the “Golden Age” of
cardiac surgery—Glenn, Sabiston and Kirklin), I wondered if the era of
the well-recognized, authoritative textbook was over. I actually cannot
remember the last textbook I purchased. While a resident at UCSF,
textbooks were critically important as the library closed at midnight. I
grew up with the “red book”, Dunphy and Way’s “<i>current</i>Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment”. This paperback nicely covered the
basics of surgery and, importantly, was readily available for residents
well before Google. Primarily for sentimental reasons, I kept my 1983
edition.</div><div>So, why a surgical textbook in 2021? What is the appeal, attraction and
need?</div><div>Gaudino’s “Technical Aspects of Modern Coronary Artery Bypass
Grafting” has enormous appeal. For one, it is beautifully illustrated
with very useful drawings along with attractive and detailed operative
photos. At times, I felt like I was visiting the author-surgeon in his
or her operating room. The world’s leading experts have provided
detailed step by step technical instructions, which are clear, concise
and very helpful. For cardiac surgeons considering starting a multiple
arterial grafting (MAG) program, this textbook is a needed and wonderful
resource.</div><div>The attractions of Gaudino’s testbook are many. First, “Technical
Aspects” clearly reflects Gaudino’s stellar and highly productive
career as an investigator and practitioner of MAG. He has systematically
addressed the details of MAG. Conduit selection, harvest and utilization
are all outlined in exquisite step by step detail. Complex grafting
techniques are reviewed and beautifully illustrated. I especially
enjoyed Chapter 12 by Rocha and his colleagues on their nicely done
essay on the proximal anastomosis, or what I consider to be “the
forgotten anastomosis”. The authors review the many important technical
details and critical issues impacting the patency of a bypass graft.</div><div>All of the chapters are well written, beautifully illustrated, highly
practical and very helpful for residents in training, for early career
surgeons and for well-established cardiac surgeons interested in
coronary artery bypass. Gaudino should also be commended for the
addition of Chapter 23 by Fremes and Tatoulis on the management of
perioperative ischemia and Chapter 24 by Lazar on optimizing medical
therapy. These are incredibly important chapters on “non-technical”
yet critical issues with excellent recommendations.</div><div>Gaudino’s “Technical Aspects” is a clearly needed and a highly
authoritative textbook which will serve as an excellent roadmap for
surgeons interested in starting a MAG program. It hopefully will allow
surgeons to move from the “house special” CABG (one internal mammary
and veins) mentioned by Girardi in his thoughtful Foreward to more
arterial grafting performed with greater confidence and commitment.
“Technical Aspects” will also serve as an important resource for
surgeons at all levels of training and expertise. I currently have lots
of room on my near empty book shelf. “Technical Aspects” will be on my
book shelf and belongs on yours!</div>