Michael Debakey: A Brief Biography

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Michael DeBakey was born September 7, 1908 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He died July 11, 2008 in Houston, TX. Michael was an American cardiac surgeon, international medical leader, educator, and pioneer in surgical operations for diseases of the cardiovascular system. DeBakey received his Bachelor of Science degree at Tulane University in New Orleans. He also received an M.D. degree in 1932 at Tulane University School of Medicine. Michael is known for his part in the development of the mobile army surgical hospital and his exertion on the remedy of heart patients. At 23 years old, Michael invented the roller pump. The roller pump was an indispensable element of the heart-lung machine. The pump provided a continuous flow of blood during operations…show more content…
DeBakey also performed the first effective patch-graft angioplasty to reverse arterial narrowing. Michael and his team executed the first heart bypass performance, utilizing a transplanted leg vein to direct blood around clogged coronary arteries. Out of all his performances he is unquestionably best known for implementing the first fortunate proposition of a ventricular assist device, (VAD) in 1958. Michael’s VAD was created to assist the heart pump…show more content…
Even though he was a little boy he knew he wanted to be in the medical field. He had a real urge for knowledge and loved creating things. Michael grew up considered to be one of the greatest surgeons of his time. Michael was honored with many awards throughout his legacy like the American Medical Association Hektoen Gold Medal (twice), the International Society of Surgery Distinguished Service Award, the Denton A. Cooley Leadership Award, and many more. No other doctor has been said to be more connected to the upbringing of modern medicine and heart surgery than Michael

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