CONSENT OF COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P., INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement  of
CardioThoracic Systems, Inc. on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 1, 1997
and February 12, 1996, on our audits of the financial statements of
CardioThoracic Systems, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the year
ended December 31, 1996 and for the period from June 15, 1995 (date of
inception) to December 31, 1995, and Informed Creation (a development stage
entity) as of June 14, 1995 and for the period from January 1, 1995 to June 14,
1995, the year ended December 31, 1994, and the cumulative period from November
3, 1993 (date of inception) to June 14, 1995, respectively, which reports are
included in the 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


                                       Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

                                       /s/ COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.



San Jose, California
December 22, 1997