Francis Wells is a recognised leader in the field of mitral and tricuspid valve surgery. He lectures on the subject internationally and has published numerous articles on the topic. He initially trained in London and the United States, before moving to Papworth Hospital as a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon in 1985. His specialist area of cardiac surgical interest is the management of all forms of heart valve disease, especially mitral valve reconstruction. Mr. Wells has a large experience more than 37 years of practice. The functionality of the valve has always been a prime interest for him, rather than simply achieving competence often at the expense of normal physiology. This has led to a desire for a deeper understanding of the basic sciences related to the valve and hence the generation of this book. He also has an interest in all aspects of adult cardiac surgery with 25 years' experience in cardio-pulmonary transplantation, directing the lung transplant unit at Royal Papworth hospital for 20 years. Mr. Wells also ran a full thoracic and Oesophageal practice specialising in surgical oncological management. He was instrumental in establishing the first Two Stop Lung Cancer Centre in the United Kingdom.