Optimal Resources for Coronary Artery Surgery

decade ago cardiac surgical teams were organized in many hospitals throughout the United States. Some of these failed to function satisA factorily because of poor planning, inadequate staff and material resources, or insufficient case loads. Others remained in existence but with resources and case loads so marginal as to raise serious questions about their effectiveness, safety, and economic soundness. With the introduction of new techniques for coronary artery surgery, hospitals are again being stimulated to expand their surgical programs, and there is evidence that we may again