The EACTS is devoted to the practice of cardio-thoracic surgery. The main objects of the Association are to advance education in the field of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery and to promote for the public benefit research in thoracic physiology, pathology and therapy and to correlate and disseminate the useful results thereof. Within the EACTS there are a large number of committees working on various issues in order to improve cardio-thoracic surgery. EACTS was founded as a European organisation. However, its membership is now spread all over the world in all continents representing some 70 countries. Since its foundation in 1986 more than 2000 members have been admitted, and the interest in applying for membership has grown considerably during the last few years.