If you want to read a fascinating article about the history of heart surgery, we recommend reading the article written by Dr. Stepehen Westaby. Dr. Westaby writes an intriguing history of this specialty, from the early pioneers to the "innovators" and the "late adopters". It is a fascinating read about surgeons who dabbled in repairing injuries to the heart; surgeons who developed the field of congenital and valvular heart surgery; surgeons who developed the field of coronary artery surgery. He also recounts the work of the IBM Corporation, whose Chairman volunteered his engineers to help perfect the heart-lung machine. As well, Dr. Westaby has also covered the development of heart transplantation surgery.

One of the pioneers of herat surgery, Dr. Michael deBakey passed away this year at age 99. While still a medical student, he invented the roller pump for the heart-lung machine, which is still used during heart surgery.

In 1942 he enlisted in the Army in the office of the Surgeon General and helped develop MASH units and the Veterans Administration.

In 1952, Dr. DeBakey performed the first successful resection and grafting of the abdominal aorta for aneurysm.

In 1953, Dr. DeBakey performed the first successful carotid endarterectomy for carotid stenosis, a disease that causes stroke.

For more information about Dr. Michael deBakey, go to the following link:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/07/12/debakey.obit.ap/index.html