It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Professor David Paul Taggart of Oxford University, one of the most influential figures in contemporary cardiac surgery.

David's contribution to our specialty went far beyond his remarkable career as a surgeon and scientist. Through his leadership, research, teaching, and mentorship, he challenged generations of cardiac surgeons to question established practices, demand rigorous evidence, and remain focused on what truly benefits our patients.

His work in coronary surgery—including arterial revascularization, multiple arterial grafting, off-pump surgery, CABG versus PCI, graft quality, and clinical outcomes—helped shape the scientific foundations of modern coronary surgery. His leadership of the Arterial Revascularisation Trial (ART) stands among his many lasting contributions to the field.

But David's legacy is not measured only in trials and publications. He had a rare ability to make people think. His intellectual honesty, curiosity, conviction, wit, and willingness to challenge assumptions left a lasting impression on colleagues, trainees, and collaborators around the world.

He was demanding and at times provocative, but always because he cared deeply—about the truth, about cardiac surgery, and above all, about our patients.

We extend our deepest condolences to Kathleen, his family, friends, colleagues at Oxford, and the many members of our international cardiac surgery community who had the privilege of knowing him.

We have lost an exceptional surgeon, an important scientist, a remarkable teacher and mentor, and, for many of us, a friend.

His legacy will endure in the surgeons he trained, the investigators he inspired, the evidence he helped create, and the patients whose lives were improved by his work.

Perhaps most importantly, it will endure in the questions he left us with—the questions that compel us to challenge our assumptions, seek better evidence, and never stop asking whether we can do better for our patients.

David, thank you for your friendship, intellect, courage, generosity, and extraordinary contribution to cardiac surgery.

You will be deeply missed.
You will be remembered.
Your influence will endure for generations.

On behalf of the Latin American Association of Cardiac and Endovascular Surgery (LACES)
Rui M. S. Almeida, MD, PhD
LACES President