This study investigated the current physiotherapy management of the patient undergoing routine coronary artery bypass graft. A postal questionnaire was sent to the senior physiotherapists in all (n=52) cardiothoracic units in the United Kingdom. Respondents were asked to identify assessment and treatment programmes in both the preoperative and postoperative management of these patients and the basis on which these programmes were implemented. An indication of current research awareness was also ascertained. A response rate of 80% (n = 40) was obtained.