Alexis Carrel: Jules Verne of cardiovascular surgery.

There is in every field one individual who stands apart as a great thinker, leader, or teacher. In the field of cardiovascular surgery, Alexis Carrel was each of these. Proof of this lies in the fact that daily, the modern cardiovascular surgeon is likely to use a concept or technique first developed by Carrel. During the 75th anniversary year of Carrel's receipt of the Nobel Prize, the life and work of this great innovator should be remembered.