When was the first heart surgery performed? what did cardiologists do before then?

First Bypass 1967: Cardiac surgery has bee done for decades (particularly for congenital heart disease and valvular problems). The first aorto-coronary bypass surgery was performed "only" 47 years ago, 1967 by Dr Rene Favaloro, an argentinian surgeon at Cleveland Clinic. Remember that the first angiogram (procedure to assess coronary blockages) was performed only 3-5 years early by Dr Mason Sones, also in Cleveland.