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Michael DeBakey, Consummate Medical Geek, Dead At 99

Posted by kdawson on from the man-was-all-heart dept.

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."

4 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. Awesome Man by EdIII · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That man was truly awesome. I don't believe in the Christian god, but I don't believe in a black void either. Wherever he went I hope it's everything he deserves and I pray for that.

    What an incredible contribution to science and medical technology. The number of lives that man had affected with his work.

    50,000 heart surgeries? That is tireless work. If he started at 30 and worked till the day he died, that is about 2 surgeries a day. He was unable to perform surgery for the last part of his life, so it was more like 3-5 surgeries a day. That's over 50,000 people that got to live longer with their families because of him DIRECTLY. How many other people survived because of his advancements? Millions? probably, and possibly more than that.

    This man was truly awesome in every sense of the word, and inspiring to others. Anybody working in any scientific field hopes to make such a contribution to the world.

    May he rest in piece.

    1. Re:Awesome Man by Simpsoid · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I too don't believe in any god's, but may god rest his soul. Men and women like this are truely an asset to humanity and the human race. It's dedication like this to the sciences and arts that really makes the human spirit shine. So wherever you are Dr. DeBakey, I hope you are in peace.

    2. Re:Awesome Man by cduffy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      By leaving the poor, the desolate, the hungry to die, we are negating all advances made by society.

      How so?

  2. And Yet.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I found it rather sad (or just perplexing) that his obit was overshadowed by the death of Tony Snow, a journalist.

    NBC News (Saturday) didn't even mention him at all, but did have a glowing 3+ piece on Snow.