Picking The Most Effective Los Angeles Cardiologist

By Gerald Agujero


The human heart has long fascinated mankind. The notion that the heart is the source of all emotions can be traced to the ancient Greeks. The Romans further expounded on this the notion by claiming the heart seat of fidelity and love. The classic tradition of placing wedding bands on the third finger from the thumb is based on the belief that this finger vein is a mainline to the heart. Modern science has since proven many of these myths about the heart are false. Yet this vital organ still fascinates us. The study and science of diseases of the heart are called cardiology. While the men and women who specialize in treating heart ailments are known as cardiologists.

Michael DeBakey started life on September 7, 1908 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He studied at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana and received his B.S. in 1930, his M.D. in 1932, and his M.S. in 1935.

Early on, he showed real genius. Before he had even obtained his M.S., DeBakey invented a special pump that is a vital part of the heart-lung machine, a machine that makes open-heart surgery possible by doing the job of the lungs and heart while surgery is being performed. He also devised a system for fixing aortas. Debakey was on the first surgeons to use what is known as the Dacron graft to repair and replace blood vessels.

80 years later, French biologist Raymond de Vieussens unveiled his revelations about the hearts mechanics. His detailed illustrations of the heart and its arteries are awe-inspiring in both artistic merit and fine detail. For the next 200 years the science of cardiology uncovered more about the heart's secrets. By the 18th century, physicians had learned a great deal more about our cardiovascular system. The science of monitoring blood pressure had emerged. The Reverend Stephen Hales discovery of blood pressure ushered in a new era. Soon a direct correlation between blood pressure and heart health was established.

By the 19th century doctors had invented the stethoscope and could now listen to the heart's live beating. By mid-20th century the electrocardiograph also known as the EKG machine had been invented. EKG allowed doctors to more closely monitor the overall performance of the heart using electrical impulses. This groundbreaking discovery led to a more easy diagnosis of arterial sclerosis (clogged arteries). The science of cardiology was advancing further and saving even more lives.

As the modern scientific era dawned, the first attempts at surgical intervention began. The field of cardiology was venturing into new and uncharted waters. In the late 1800s the first successful open-heart surgery was performed by Dr. Ludwig Rehn. In 1896 this German physician performed the first successful heart surgery. It wouldn't be until 1953 until heart surgery would become more common.

John Gibbons invented what we now call the Heart Lung Machine. This invention allows a surgeon to keep blood oxygenated and moving through patient during surgery. Dr. Gibbon's machine was refined using dogs as test subjects. In 1953 Cecelia Bavolek, became the first successful recipient of a heart bypass surgery, using Dr. Gibbon's machine. This breakthrough opened the door for safer heart-valve repair and transplantation surgeries take place.

During this time, he met Michael E DeBakey and they developed a way to remove aortic aneurysms. He performed bloodless surgeries for Jehovah's Witnesses during the 1960's. He and his team developed new artificial heart valves which helped to drop mortality rates for heart valve transplant surgery from 70% all the way to 8%.

He performed the first successful artificial heart transplant in 1969. The man lived for over 2 days with this artificial heart beating inside of him. This operation was the start of a 40 year feud between DeBakey and Cooley. Debakey was to perform the surgery, however was delayed by a speaking engagement. Cooley went ahead and performed the surgery without authorization and stole this significant event from DeBakey.

Many other advances in first have occurred in history of cardiology. The defibrillator machine was first tested on dogs in the late 1800s. It wasn't really considered safe for humans until around 1947. It's then that an American teen patient was revived using the first working defibrillation machine. Advances in cardiology continue to astound and amaze us. In 1982 the first arterial heart had been implanted in a human patient. Dr. Robert K. Jarvik's artificial heart (dubbed the Jarvik 7) was implanted into retired Barney Clark, at the University of Utah

As we more boldly into the 21st-century, more medical marvels await us. Biotechnology already promises a future where designer organs can be grown to match a specific patient. This is a breakthrough that could greatly reduce the risk of transplant rejection. Modern cholesterol blockers greatly decrease the chance of heart attack and disease for millions of Americans. Today's cardiologist has access to a staggering amount of new medicines. These cutting edge pharmaceuticals can lower blood pressure, control heart rate, and promote general heart health. Someday, nearly invisible nano-machines may be able to perform surgery on individual body cells. This would allow them to repair hearts from the inside out.

The art and science of cardiology have a long and wonderful history. Many of us today owe our lives to the efforts of these pioneers. Advances in medical science have created a world that many of these trailblazers could only imagine. Cardiologists continue to work in tandem with specialists from other fields, like bio-engineering and electronics. The new discovery these men and women invent will improve the quality of life for countless heart patients. The study of the human heart will continue to amaze, fascinate, and benefit us for a long time to come.



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