50th Anniversary of Open Heart Surgery

[John Cochran]

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the first open heart surgery in the world which took place on September 2, 1952 at University Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. http://www.startribune.com/stories/468/3204755.html
Two years later, the first heart-lung machine was invented; it was made from a dairy pump and beer tubing. In 1957, the first pacemaker was constructed by Earl Bakken, an appliance repairman, based on a design for a metronome he'd seen in a magazine (Earl Bakken went on to become the founder of Medtronic, Inc.).

It struck me today how all of us on this forum, had we lived at any other time in history, would either be on our last legs or already gone. As we all struggle with the many choices of valves available, and puzzle over the best surgeons and hospitals, it occurs to me that we are all extraordinarily lucky to have been born when we were.

I'm proud that these early achievements were made where I live--Minneapolis. I wonder what the next 50 years will give us?

Happy Labor Day!
--John

 

[hhardt]

Progress

Progress

Boy, do I ever understand. I had gangerine appendix problems in Subic Bay in the late 60s and what a scar, from the belly button to the side, with other holes. Had the gall bladder removed in the 1970 by the same doc/surgeon at Bethesda that did President Johnson's, with a scar from below the belly button to just at where my AVR scar starts. Even have a big bulge where the sewing failed with time. Nowdays it takes just a few small loopholes. Earlier, survival was a question, including mine at Subic.
All the wonderful things they did to us all is remarkable - and only we and our support types know what we had to go through. In a few years, it will be a real piece of cake.
My appreciation goes to the surgeons and their nurses for how dedicated they are. And to my wife for a dedication I didn't/don't deserve.

 

[azpam]

yes i am aware of the open heart surgery invention of the 50's. just 2 months before the first open heart surgery, i was born a blue baby with ventricular septal defect. i had surgery in november 1962 for the repair at university hospital in cleveland. so i will be celebrating my 40th year of "still ticking" in november!! does anyone here beat my 40 year reign? hope all you clickers are having a safe and healthy labor day!! thanks for ross's hospital address-a card will be in the mail tomorrow. a good habit to start especially for the "slow recovery" members. azpam(one of your quieter but still interested members)

 

[McCln]

Azpam

Azpam

I can't beat 40 years, but next year is my thirty years since my repair. I had replacement lst year, so a lot has happened since my repair also. The bypass repair they did on me thirty years ago is now done on newborns just minutes old. So a lot has come even from forty years ago. We are so lucky nowadays. You take care.

Caroline
09-13-01
Aortic valve replacement
St. Jude's valve

 

[Scottie]

Azpam

Azpam

You beat me by a couple of yrs ...born in 1960 with TOF my parents couldn't get a surgeon to agree to operate until I was four ..changed days ..and surely for the better ..I often pause to think about the people who changed the world for us Congential Heart Children and gave us a life ...Thanks for reminding me again
Scottie

 

[Jean]

I thought of this when I had my surgery in '00. My baby brother was born in '49 with the blue baby syndrome. They were trying to stabelize him to fly him to the Mayo Clinic where the surgery was very experimental, but he died on day 11 before they could do anything.

 

[Granbonny]

Blue Baby

Blue Baby

I heard my Mama talk all about her little sister. Baby Ruth. who was born a "Blue Baby"..born in 1924..died in 1936. age 12..She talked about her never being able to keep up with them..10 siblings. Were they really blue? Bonnie

 

[Scottie]

hi Bonnie

hi Bonnie

I was a "Blue Baby " ....my lips and fingers , toes and cheeks were a deep blue purple .....a colour I now avoid LOL....someone the other day referred to me as our towns' Blue Baby ....because I didn't get enough oxygen I often suffered blackouts and couldn't walk much before my op when I was 41/2 ....instead I did the typical Blue Baby thing of squatting ..and often crawled around the house...Thankgoodness for medical advances as my parents were told ,when I was a baby that ,"I might see 3 but would never see 5...and to go home and have another child " ...so glad I defied the odds
Take care
Scottie

 

[John Cochran]

Scottie,
What an amazing story! Add me to your list of people who are glad you defied the odds It must have been terribly hard on your parents not knowing, and worrying about you constantly.

I remember being in junior high school and knowing a girl whose lips seemed to be blue all the time. I didn't know until she passed away that she had some serious heart problems that were, at that time, inoperable. I sometimes think of her, knowing if she could have lived just a little longer, her life would have been greatly extended.

Best to you,
--John

 

[Nancy]

Regarding whether blue babies were really blue. There have been times when Joe has been ill, particularly with CHF, but especially prior to his mitral valve surgery, that his lips and fingernails were blue. He also had a pale bluish color, overall. So I guess any time there is a depletion of oxygen in the blood, this can happen.

 

[Jean]

I remember my brother...I didn't realize it then, but looking back and comparing him to my baby sisters born later, he was definitely bluish. He wasn't that warm pink that most babies ( at least blonde babies) are.