The patient who has symptomatic coronary artery disease suffers from a chronic, incurable illness. The physician must help such a patient adapt to the disease. Coronary artery bypass surgery is, in many instances, a valuable therapeutic adjunct that provides both physiologic and psychologic benefit. It frees many patients from angina pectoris and, in some instances, prolongs life. It often gives the patient the confidence of knowing that maximum effort is being expended to combat the disease. Selectively used, coronary artery bypass is an effective component in the total management of patients with coronary artery disease.