DOCTOR–PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

Bethesda, Maryland. As an adjunct to Dr Stinson's presentation, the conference heard from Lowell Harmison of the current status of the artificial heart programme. It became clear that these two advances could well be complementary, and that in the long run it was at least feasible for an artificial heart to be available to support a patient until an appropriately matched heart for transplantation became available. Although the conference dealt mainly with technical advances in cardiology and cardiac surgery, the impact of these techniques on the patient was frequently raised. Moreover, while throughout the meeting much new knowledge was presented to the audience, the discussion periods made it clear that many more questions were being asked than had been answered. In this regard it is relevant to note that the Australian Heart Foundation is making it possible for research and development to be undertaken in many of the areas discussed at the conference. The wisdom of those who have promoted and developed the Heart Foundation could not be questioned after the outstanding success of this International Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Conference. We are pleased to pass on the thanks of the organizing committee of the conference both to the Foundation and to all those who supported and participated in the conference.