title: The History of Duke Thoracic Surgery.
abstract: Since 1931, Duke Thoracic Surgery has been defined by excellence in patient care, research, and the education of leaders in surgery. In this work, the history, contributions, historic figures, and current structure of the program are reviewed. The program has cultivated a commitment to surgical investigation and training that persists to the present day. This commitment is manifest by the program's contributions to the field of cardiothoracic surgery, from the fundamental investigation of the coronary circulation and the development of the heat exchanger for myocardial preservation, to large-scale clinical trials in cardiac and thoracic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Electronic address: smith058@mc.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mulvihill
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: D'Amico
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000266:history*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000266:history; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009657:North Carolina; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013903:Thoracic Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000266:history*
keywords: Cardiopulmonary Bypass; Duke University; Education; Heat Exchange; Sabiston