Timothy Gardner, a senior heart surgeon and leader in cardiovascular medicine, is medical director of Christiana Care's Center for Heart & Vascular Health and clinical professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr Gardner is past president of both the American Heart Association and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and former chair of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. Prior to his current position at Christiana Care, he was chief of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr Gardner has no relevant financial relationships.

Mathew Williams is assistant professor of surgery and medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr Williams is also surgical director of Cardiovascular Transcatheter Therapies and associate director of the Cardiothoracic Fellowship at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, where he is attending surgeon and interventional cardiologist.

Dr Williams has served as an advisor or consultant for Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and St Jude Medical.

The aims of this exchange are to offer insight into the ever-evolving world of cardiovascular surgery and provide a forum for debate for surgeons, interventional cardiologists, and the wider cardiovascular community. Join Drs Gardner and Williams for their thoughts on practice, research, news, and events from the cutting edge.