Pediatric cardiac surgery: an historical appreciation

Abstract

Many of the early, classic pediatric cardiac surgical operations were named after their originators. Some of these continue to be performed in the original form, many in modified form and some are obsolete. The development of many of these important early operations is reviewed and they are placed in the context of their times.

Vivien Thomas: Master Craftsman, Gifted Teacher, and Unsung Hero

“…At Dr. Blalock's suggestion, Vivien Thomas developed the subclavian artery to ipsilateral pulmonary artery shunt, 4 which was later named the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Anna, the dog, was Thomas' first success and survivor of the procedure.…”

“…The operation was successful, but unfortunately Eileen died 6 months later after a second operation. 4 Thomas was present for the next several procedures that were all successful. In 1945, Dr. Blalock published a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association describing the first three patients to receive the Blalock-Taussig shunt.…”

“…She noted that when the PDA was closed, these patients then developed cyanosis. 4 In August of 1938, Dr. Robert Gross, a surgeon at Children's Hospital in Boston, successfully ligated a PDA. 2,5 This surgery motivated Dr. Taussig to travel to Boston and meet with Dr.…”

“…In previous research attempting to replicate the physiologic effects of pulmonary arterial hypertension, Dr. Blalock and Thomas had proposed an artificial ductus system, so Dr. Taussig's idea was quite intriguing to Dr. Blalock. 5 Blalock-Taussig Shunt At Dr. Blalock's suggestion, Vivien Thomas developed the subclavian artery to ipsilateral pulmonary artery shunt, 4 which was later named the Blalock-Taussig shunt. Anna, the dog, was Thomas' first success and survivor of the procedure.…”

“…She weighed only 4.5 kg. 1,4 The procedure was so risky that the Chief of the Division of Anesthesiology, Dr. Austin Lamont, refused to anesthetize the patient. He did not want to take part in what he believed would be the death of a child.…”