Historical overview of vascular anastomoses.- The physiology of blood flow and artery wall.- Mathematic modelling of vascular anastomoses.- Determinants of anastomosis long term patency.- Key issues in sutureless vascular anastomoses.- Coronary surgery: devices for proximal anastomosis.- Coronary surgery: devices for distal anastomoses.- Sutureless anastomotic devices for vascular surgery.- Human body and metal alloys: the never ending fight.- Criteria for vascular anastomosis devices assessment.