Cardiothoracic diseases: basic treatment

In our current work we made an effort to include several diseases from organs of the thorax and their optimal treatment. We gave emphasis on the management of heart diseases such as; mitral valve insufficiency (repair and replacement), chronic coronary artery disease (CAD), myxoma, left atrial appendage exclusion and right heart failure. Moreover; we included the surgical treatment of pancoast tumor and the pre-surgical assessment. Current and up-to-date information regarding the pre-operative evaluation of lung cancer patients is additionally presented. Several authors presented also their work on lornoxicam and the inflammatory cascade that releases after cardiothoracic surgeries. An original research and an extensive review where presented and fruitful exchange of knowledge are provided in the current special issue as articles. Furthermore; the management of local infection after cardiac implantable electronic devices is presented. Another group of authors present their work on the relation between pneumothorax and asthma, while others the overlap syndrome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. The inflammatory cascade which is over-activated in COPD is also presented with an emphasis on pathophysiology of the underlying mechanism. COPD and asthma in progressed stages and upon exacerbations influence the heart function and circulation system and therefore several studies included the stage of these diseases and the interaction between the two involved systems (respiratory and heart). The authors additionally included an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the trachea which is a rare entity in the thorax. The special issue could be used as a textbook for the young scientists with interest in cardiothoracic diseases, but also for the experts as a summary for ongoing new methods in several fields of heart and lung diseases diagnosis and treatment. We hope that you enjoy reading this special issue as much as we enjoyed writing it.