This chapter is intended to provide the basis for patient care postoperatively in the cardiac surgical unit. The guidelines contained within are appropriate to this situation though they should not be regarded as fixed dogma. As far as possible specific differences in the regimens expected by different surgical consultants have been minimized; however, where these exist they have been outlined and should be adhered to. Departures from the guidelines contained within are always best discussed with a more senior member of the surgical team rather than being implemented unilaterally. Cardiac surgery involves the active participation of a large number of different specialists, including anesthesiologists, cardiologists and the surgical team. It is the primary role of the surgical team to integrate and coordinate the various contributions allowing decisions regarding patient management to be taken together rather than in isolation. The junior staffs are immediately responsible for the care of the patients under the direction and the supervision of the consultants.