C. Walton Lillehei

C. Walton Lillehei (1918–1999) was an American cardiac surgeon and medical pioneer. He is often referred to as the "father of open-heart surgery" for his significant contributions to the field of cardiothoracic surgery.

Early Life and Education

Lillehei was born on October 23, 1918, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1939, his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1942, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Surgery in 1951.

Career

Lillehei began his career at the University of Minnesota Medical School as a surgical intern in 1945. He became a full professor of surgery in 1951 and was appointed the head of the Department of Surgery in 1967.

Lillehei's most significant contribution to medicine was his development of techniques for open-heart surgery. In 1952, he performed the first successful open-heart operation using hypothermia as a means of protecting the heart. In 1955, he introduced the concept of cross-circulation, where the patient's mother or father served as the oxygenator.

In 1957, Lillehei and his team developed the first practical, external, wearable pacemaker, which revolutionized the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia.

Legacy

Lillehei's innovations in cardiac surgery have saved countless lives and have had a profound impact on the field of medicine. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Lasker Award in 1955 and the Gairdner Foundation International Award in 1963.

See Also

• History of surgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Pacemaker