The publication embodied here represents the life work of a premier Russian scientist studying Sudden Cardiac Death. As one can gather from more than 35 first authored publications cited in the References, Dr. Rajskina has been involved with the investigation of mechanisms responsible for Sudden Cardiac Death for over 30 years. She has brought a classical approach to the sub­ ject, considering the effects of blood supply disturbances, electrophysiological changes that occur after regional ischemia, metabolic alterations, and the role of the autonomic nervous system in modulating these changes. These studies naturally lead to a consideration of interventions, based on her research, to prevent ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion. This is a wide ranging treatise indicative of a lifetime of study of the problem and filled with the richness of scientific experiments generated in its pursuit. There is so much in here that will be of interest to the arrhythmologist interested in Sudden Cardiac Death, whether this is on a single channel level, in vitro study of hearts, in vivo investigation of intact animals, or at the bedside. And throughout it all, statements are copiously documented with more than 850 references. That alone is worth hours of computer searching. I am very proud to have been asked by this outstanding scientist to write a brief Preface to her monumental contribution. All of us involved in the study of arrhythmic mechanisms responsible for Sudden Cardiac Death can hold Dr.