Cardiac Surgery—State-of-the-Heart Review

February is Heart Month, and I am honored to provide commentary regarding cardiac surgery past, present, and maybe even the future, depending on the clarity of my crystal ball. The American Heart Association established Heart Month to focus attention on maladies of the heart and circulatory system. Cardiovascular-associated diseases affect millions of Americans and are a significant portion of health care expenditures.. Despite my research, I have not been able to definitively determine why February was designated Heart Month. Many assumed that the designation was related to Cupid and Valentine’s Day.