Michael DeBakey, Consummate Medical Geek, Dead At 99

NIckGorton writes "Dr. Michael DeBakey, the father of modern heart surgery, died this week at age 99. He was integral to the development of pretty much everything in modern cardiovascular surgery: bypass (heart-lung machines that made open-heart surgery possible for the first time), coronary artery bypass surgery (he did the first one ever), carotid endarterectomey (again he performed the first one), the development of Dacron graft blood vessels, and the development of MASH units. He was a consummate geek and numerous surgical instruments bear his name. He was also the first surgeon to videotape surgeries — in the 1960s. He was considered by the NEJM to be the single greatest surgeon alive until two days ago. In his career he performed over 50,000 heart surgeries and practiced medicine (though not surgery) until the day he died. In 2005 he underwent the Debakey procedure, which he pioneered, to treat the aortic dissection he suffered."

Comments

Re:That's going to cause a bit of confusion

[Jafafa Hots]

Its worse than that.

"Nurse, DeBakey please.."

"Which DeBakey?"

The DeBakey Clamp.

Which DeBakey Clamp?

Re:Not nearly enough recognition

[iluvcapra]

My friends will pass away
My enemies will pass away
My happiness and dreams will pass away
My sorrows and failures will pass away
I, and the reflection of that who I am, too will pass away

Remarkable statement for a man that has been reincarnated over a dozen times...

early riser

[sonchat]

His father, a pharmacist, taught him to rise early and avoid wasting time

He's no geek!