About the authors

Joseph A Dearani

JA Dearani is Professor of Surgery at the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA. He began his General Surgery residency at Georgetown and then interrupted clinical training for 2 years of basic science research in cardiovascular surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He performed postgraduate fellowship training in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Mayo Clinic followed by fellowship in congenital cardiac surgery and transplantation at Loma Linda University. Dr Dearani joined the staff at the Mayo Clinic in 1996 where he is also the Program Director for the Thoracic Surgery Residency.

Steve R Ommen

SR Ommen is Associate Professor of Medicine at the Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA.

Bernard J Gersh

B Gersh is Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Consultant in Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, and Vice-Chair of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, USA. Dr Gersh's research interests include the natural history and therapy of acute and chronic coronary artery disease, clinical electrophysiology, the cardiomyopathies, and the clinical implications of molecular genetics and cell repair therapy.

Hartzell V Schaff

HV Schaff is Professor of Surgery and Chair at the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA.

Gordon K Danielson

GK Danielson is Emeritus Professor of Surgery at the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN, USA.