Cardiac surgery and the brain - an introduction, K.M. Taylor. Part 1 The extent of the problem: the potential role of carotid artery disease, M.J. G. Harrison; the neurological sequelae of cardiopulmonary bypass - the Newcastle experience, Pamela J. Shaw; neuropsychological and psychological changes, Stanton Newman; extracorporeal circulation and neuropsychological deficits, B. Dahme; neurological findings before and after heart transplantation surgery, H. Porschke, et al; neuropsychological and behavioural status of paediatric patients one year after heart and heart-lung transplantation, Jo Wray, et al; problems of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and low-flow perfusion - with particular reference to the paediatric population, Richard A. Jonas; psychological and neurological implications - the international multicentre study, Allen E. Willner. Part 2 Investigative techniques: cerebral blood flow before, during and after bypass, Leif Henriksen; cerebral monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass - a predictor of postoperative outcome?, G.E. Venn; magnetic resonance imaging of the brain as an adjunct to cardiac surgery, James R. McConnell; assessment of microembolic load during cardiopulminary bypass by transcranial Doppler techniques, W.B. Pugsley; retinal fluorescein angiography in the assessment of microembolism during cardiopulmonary bypass, Christopher Blauth. Part 3 Interventions: interventions to reduce cerebral injury - an introduction, Peter L. Smith; blood gass management, Michael Nevinn; the use of arterial filtration, W.B. Pugsley; the effects of substrate load and blood glucose management, Steven Griffin and John Hothersall; the use of glutamate receptor antagonists, Dale Corbett and Suzanne Evans; the use of thiopentone and propofol, D.L. Weir; the use of prostacyclin the iloprost, J.K. Brierley. Part 4 Overview.