The discovery of the heart's function and the circulation of the blood were the first landmarks in the science of cardiology. The major cardiac landmarks, including diverse procedures and techniques that involve repairs, transplants and implants for both the damaged heart and cardiac birth defects, were first pioneered in the 1920s, but progress quickened beginning in the 1950s.
Heart Anatomy
Even though both civil and religious leaders outlawed the early study of anatomy, unofficial and illegal research was done. Galen (131-201 AD) studied the structure and function of the heart as an official surgeon to the gladiators. Artist, inventor and scientist Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is considered the founder of functional anatomy, according to Stephen Westaby, author of "Landmarks in Cardiac Surgery." Da Vinci stated that the body's anatomical structure was ruled by the mechanical laws of nature and approached his study along scientific lines. William Harvey, an English physician, experimented with animals to discover the blood's circulation path in 1628. Harvey postulated that the blood was pumped through the heart muscle. French scientist and teacher Raymond de Vieussens presented a paper outlining the chambers and vessels of the heart in 1706.
Open Heart Surgery
Doctors experimented with various techniques including cross-circulation and creating a hypothermic experience to slow the heart rate to allow surgery. Dr. John H. and Mary Gibbon pioneered the first use of the heart-lung machine in the 1930s and 1940s, using equipment made by Dr. Michael DeBakey, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Drs. Richard Varco and Clarence Dennis of Minneapolis conducted one of the first open heart surgeries in 1951. Dr. F. John Lewis performed the first successful open heart surgery in the U.S. in 1952. Dr. Christiaan Barnard in South Africa performed the first person-to-person transplant of an entire heart in 1967.
Congenital Heart Repair
The correction of birth defects that led to congenital heart problems was the focus of the medical team of Gross, Crafoord, Blalock and Kirklin. Drs. Wallace, McGoom and Kirklin of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota pioneered surgical procedures to correct congenital heart disease, according to Westaby's text.
Corrective Surgery Techniques
Cutler and Levine at Boston's Peter Bent Brigham Hospital conducted the first heart valve operation in 1923. Stephen Westaby describes Dr. Arthur Vineberg of Montreal as a pioneer in surgically grafting arteries from other parts of the body to replace damaged heart arteries.
Cardiac Transplants
Dr. Juro J. Wada of Tokyo conducted the first Japanese heart transplant in 1968. Sir Magdi Yacoub of London, also an international surgeon and pioneer of surgical techniques dealing with congenital heart disease, has completed more heart transplants than anyone else in the world. Dr. Paul Zolo of Boston pioneered external and then internal cardiac pacemakers beginning in the 1950s. Dr. Hans Wolner of Vienna is a world pioneer of artificial heart technology. Dr. Michael DeBakey's 1963 operation to install an artificial heart pump was a modern cardiac landmark, according to the NIH. Dr. Willem DeVries implanted the first permanent artificial heart, made by Dr. Robert Jarvik, in 1982.
References
- Landmarks in Cardiac Surgery; Stephen Westaby, Oxford University Press, 1998
- Obit: Paul M. Zoll Is Dead at 87; Pioneered Use of Pacemakers; New York Times, Jan. 8, 1999
- NIH: Medline Plus: Dr. Michael DeBakey, 2008
