CardioThoracic Systems

CardioThoracic Systems (CTS) was a pioneering medical technology company focused on developing tools and techniques for minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The company is best known for its "off-pump" coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) technology, which allows surgeons to perform bypass surgery on a beating heart without the use of a heart-lung machine. Their flagship Axius system included stabilizers and accessories designed to reduce the invasiveness and complications associated with traditional open-heart surgery. Founded in the mid-1990s, CTS played a significant role in shifting cardiac surgical practices toward less traumatic procedures. The company was acquired by Guidant Corporation in 1999 for approximately $350 million.