this is poorly acknowledged, those with a poor quality of venting of the cardiac cavities.And last, but not least, even if we do admit that CPB is not harmless, we are also obliged to admit that it is still indispensable and mandatory for the most part in cardiac surgery. In the last 2 or 3 decades, many interesting interventional techniques, such as off-pump coronary surgery, transcatheter aortic valve implantation, stent grafting of the aorta, and so on, have been developed that allow the repair of many diseases and troubles without the aid of CPB. They certainly will progress and most probably reduce the need for CPB in the future. Until that time, however, CPB, adequately carried out, will remain indispensable and at the core of cardiac surgery.