The 1990s have been characterized by a reappraisal of allocating expenditure for health care interventions. Coronary artery bypass in the elderly has emerged as an example of burgeoning expensive surgery whose appropriateness is under challenge. This book comprises the proceedings of an international symposium where leading experts in aspects such as health economics, ethics, clinical cardiology, cardiac surgery, epidemiology and health-care policy discussed the need and outcome of the operation in old and very old patients. Clinical issues and operative results complement national costs and quantitated benefits in terms of quality of life as a justification of surgery. The book is addressed to cardiologists, geriatricians, cardiac surgeons, psychiatrists, rehabilitation physicians and public health-care administrators.