Coronary artery bypass surgery.

Coronary artery bypass surgery has taken many strides to become the effective intervention it is today. Although it has been the gold standard for cardiac revascularization for a number of years, the future of health care and technology will cause this standard to be morphed into a kinder, gentler approach that leads to even better quality outcomes and quality of life than is now expected. Research has been and will continue to be a focus in cardiovascular medicine and will only help further validate or dispute what is best for patients while challenging surgeons to become even more knowledgeable and skilled in the various treatment modalities. In addition, the emergence of super ORs will continue to blossom and create a highly technologically advanced environment that will limit the need for guesswork and gut feelings that many have practiced on for decades. The face of cardiac surgery will continue to change and we, as nurses, will be there to meet the challenge along the way.