Over the last ten years, it has become increasingly obvious that sudden death represents the major challenge confronting cardiology in the last part of the XXth Century. Careful epidemiologic studies have established the magnitude of this overall important problem of public health. The frequent association of sudden death with coronary artery disease has been demonstrated. Some of the electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying lethal arrhythmias have been unveiled. In addition, clinical markers permitting identifica tion of high risk individuals have emerged. Finally, different studies have raised some hope as to the ability of therapeutic interventions to protect these patients against a premature and possibly evitable demise. Over the years, a sizable amount of new and relevant information, both basic and clinical, has become available. We felt therefore that a conference on sudden death might be timely. It was decided to organize a small gathering during which experts from different disciplines in cardiology could sit together in a quiet retreat to share their knowledge and discuss issues pertaining to research and therapy that might be of benefit to patients. The conference was held in Liege, on May 7, 8 and 9, 1979. This three day meeting in which re presentatives from seven different countries participated was extremely stimulating. The discussions were very lively and sometimes reflected the divergence of opinion which may persist on some topics."

The saying, "What one does not know, one does not recognize," applies to the interpretation of the electrocardiogram. Recently a wealth of new information on the electrocardiogram has become avail able by correlating electrocardiographic findings with information from new techniques such as His bundle recordings, programmed stimulation of the heart, 24-hour record ing, and cardiac scintigraphy. Also, our knowledge about the electrocardiogram has been extended by acquiring new epidemiologic data and by follow-up studies on patients with myocardial infarction and bundle branch block. Unfortunately, this new information has to be dug out of several different journals and books. This book brings together this information and, helps the practicing physi cian in updating his or her knowledge about the 12-lead electrocardiogram as a diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic tool. Hein J.1. WELLENS Henri E. KULBERTUS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Originally, the contents of this book were presented in a workshop on "What is new in electrocardiography?" This workshop was made possible by the generous financial support and assistance of Roussel Nederland. Each of the speakers at the workshop kindly consented to produce a manuscript. We want to express our gratitude to them. The preparation of the workshop, and this book, required a great amount of secretarial assistance: Mrs. Bea Leliveld, Miss Anja Smeets, and Mrs. Thea Niemeyer did this with dedication and efficiency. They surely deserve our thanks. Mr. B.F. Commandeur and Martinus Nijhoff Publishers were responsible for the rapid and expert production of this book."