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Updated: Feb 24, 2026
Analysis of Coronary Vessels in Cleared Embryonic Hearts
Published on: December 7, 2016
The coronary heart team
Bobby Yanagawa1, John D Puskas, Deepak L Bhatt
1aDivision of Cardiac Surgery, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, CanadabDepartment of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New YorkcBrigham and Women's Hospital Heart & Vascular Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Coronary Heart Teams, involving cardiology and cardiac surgery, are gaining traction for complex coronary artery disease. While showing consistent decision-making, prospective data on improved patient outcomes is still needed.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Coronary Heart Teams are increasingly recognized and supported by major practice guidelines.
- These multidisciplinary teams aim to optimize care for patients with complex coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the rationale and published experience of Coronary Heart Teams.
- To explore the benefits and current limitations of this collaborative approach.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and single-center series on Coronary Heart Teams.
- Analysis of team composition, decision-making processes, and patient populations managed.
Main Results:
- Coronary Heart Teams should integrate cardiology and cardiac surgery for shared decision-making.
- Teams utilize risk prediction models for individualized patient care, focusing on complex cases.
- Potential benefits include balanced decisions, guideline adherence, and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
Conclusions:
- The concept of Coronary Heart Teams is gaining momentum for complex coronary artery disease management.
- Existing literature supports the consistency of decision-making within these teams.
- Prospective studies are required to demonstrate improved patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose Of Review:
The concept of a Coronary Heart Team has generated increased interest, including support from major practice guidelines. Here, we review the rationale and the published experience of Coronary Heart Teams.
Recent Findings:
A Coronary Heart Team should be led by both cardiology and cardiac surgery with a shared decision-making approach. The team should incorporate data from anatomic and clinical risk prediction models to offer individualized care. Most teams focus on management of complex patients and those with indications for both coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary intervention. The potential benefits of a Coronary Heart Team include balanced decision-making, greater adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines, as well as promoting greater collegiality and exchange of knowledge between specialties. Single-center series have demonstrated consistency in decision-making by Coronary Heart Teams but prospective data demonstrating improved patient outcomes and/or cost effectiveness are necessary.
Summary:
The concept of a Coronary Heart Team is gaining traction for patients with complex coronary artery disease. There is a growing literature in support of Coronary Heart Teams but comparative and prospective data demonstrating improved patient outcomes are needed.
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