John Lemmer, M.D., The Oregon Clinic, Northwest Surgical division, has recently co-authored the seventh edition of the Handbook of Patient Care in Cardiac Surgery. The second author is Gus J. Vlahakes, M.D., a professor of surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
The thoroughly updated seventh edition of this popular and widely used 370- page handbook presents the most current protocols and recommendations for care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, this edition reflects current advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) guidelines and the latest developments in cardiac surgery. The transplantation chapter has been entirely rewritten.
According to Dr. Lemmer, “The book is centered on the care of the patient before and after heart surgery with particular emphasis on the prevention, recognition and management of perioperative complications. While most emphasis is placed on the care of adult cardiac surgery patients, chapters on the subjects of pediatric cardiac surgery, mechanical support and transplantation are also included.”
The handbook provides practical guidelines on preoperative evaluation and preparation, intraoperative management, and postoperative care for current cardiac surgical procedures. Previous editions have been popular with cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac nurses and anesthesiologists, surgical residents and fellows, physician assistants, and nurses who are involved in the day-to-day care of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
The first edition of the book was published more than 40 years ago and was coauthored by Drs. Douglas Behrendt and W. Gerald Austen. Drs. Lemmer and Vlahakes have written the last three editions.
Dr. Lemmer has practiced adult cardiac surgery since 1987. A graduate of the Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU), he completed general and cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Michigan. Dr. Lemmer has been with Northwest Surgical working predominately at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital since 1991 and joined The Oregon Clinic in 2003. In addition, he is a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Surgery at OHSU.