Welcome to the sixth version of the Cardiac Anaesthesia textbook (CAT) !

This new presentation corresponds to a software update that became imperative and was made possible by a donation from the Petit Coeur Foundation in Zurich. It includes the main features of the previous version in an improved form, integrating an interactive search engine with specific access to the texts that deal with the subjects listed in the index via the menu tab. In addition, the registration required to access the PDF text downloads is now unique and without time limit with the password registered at the first connection. The "responsive" format automatically adapts to the screen format, making it readable on a tablet or smartphone. CAT 6 still contains 29 chapters on anaesthesia for heart disease and cardiac surgery, including three chapters on transesophageal echocardiography. It also includes PDF versions of three sets of documents: the downloadable form of all chapters, appendices to the chapters, and a series of international guidelines related to cardiac anaesthesia and echocardiography.

The texts are currently under review and have not been modified from version 5. As CAT 6 is now an integrated service project within the Department of Anaesthesiology of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) in Lausanne, updates will be carried out progressively by the specialists in cardiac anaesthesia of this institution assisted by experts from other affiliated hospitals (UniversitätSpital Zürich, CardioCentro Lugano, etc) A translation into English is underway for the whole text following the already completedchapters 7, 8, 14, 15. As non-professional translator to English we acknowledge the French origin of the text and the challenge producing a fluent English version, we wish the English reader to understand.

Although these texts are based primarily on the authors' expertise, they are not recipes. On the contrary, they aim to provide access to the pathophysiological, cardiological and surgical bases for understanding of the events that take place in the operating room and for solving the haemodynamic problems that arise during surgery. Complemented by knowledge of the substances used in anaesthesia, the texts should enable the anaesthetist to design the optimal management of patients whose pathology may be varied. They should also provide the basic information necessary to manage complex circumstances or unexpected incidents that may occur at any time.

Knowledge is a common good. It is not a marketable commodity. In keeping with our position, it is only right that the experience gained by our elders should be passed on free of charge to those who can benefit from it. This is why this textbook is completely free of charge. Therefore, we are always looking for external contributors. We would like to hear from you, dear readers, so that you can participate in the development of this publication by informing us of any corrections that may be necessary or by taking part in the drafting of this publication in your field of excellence. (Contact).

The authors' choice is oriented towards openly sharing, in the manner of "open source" software. However, providing a high-performance, content-rich site represents a considerable investment for the authors both timely and financially. As the call for donations contributes very modestly to the sustainability of the site, the use of targeted advertising has become inevitable. However advertisement on this site does not influence the content in any way, which is under the sole responsibility of the authors whom we can never thank enough.

The CAT 6 website is part of a project supported by the “Association pour un enseignement en Anesthésie Cardiaque (AEAC)”, the only entity authorized to receive donations. This project includes 4 aims: renewal of the content and form of the website ; French to English text translation; collaboration with different medical societies and with the faculties of medicine of Lausanne and nursing in Charleston (SC,USA); fund raising.

Lausanne, April 2023.