Imaging is at the core of diagnostic procedures in cardiology. The idea of creating The European Society of Cardiology Textbook of Cardiovascular Imaging has, therefore, been in the air for quite a long time. We recognized the rapid development of cardiovascular imaging and the growth of the clinical use of cardiac imaging. Although there have been excellent books and reviews on the matter, the society experienced the need of a book representing the accumulated expertise of European cardiovascular imagers. Our goal was to produce a clinically orientated book, which explained the utility of different imaging modalities in the diagnosis of all relevant major cardiovascular disorders. We invited the best specialists in the eld to contribute with their expertise as authors. The book is divided in sections that deal with speci c themes involving theory and practice of cardiac imaging and its clinical use in all major cardiovascular diseases from coronary heart disease to cardiomyopathies. We hope this book will become an ideal companion to all cardiologists, trainees, and card- vascular imagers. There has been a lot of effort and hard work to develop this project. We are con dent that this book will help to spread the expertise and knowledge available on cardiov- cular imaging. We thank all the authors who contributed long hours to develop the content of this book. Without their expertise and commitment, this book could not have been possible.