Page 16 - ANZCP Gazette MAY 2014

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14 MAY 2014 | www.anzcp.org
Opinion
BOOK
REVIEW by Charles McDonald
Think you know the history of the beginnings of cardiac surgery ..........then think again.
The “king of Hearts” traces the exhilaration and tragedy of Walt Lillehei’s career with a sense of excitement, urgency and adventure, describing complex medical procedures in an easy to read, yet suspenseful style. Walt Lillehi; the flamboyant man from Minnesota who pioneered open heart cardiac surgery is often labeled the father of cardiac surgery, yet the real story of his accomplishments deserve much broader accolades. With the modern technology that surrounds open heart surgery it is easy to take for granted the giant chasm that was crossed by these early pioneers. Miller keeps the reader enthralled by conveying the dogged perseverance shown by those racing to explore the inner workings of the human heart. The “King of Hearts” is written in a way that also shows compassion to those many unfortunate young lives lost in the struggle to bring techniques perfected in the animal laboratory to the operating room. It also makes the reader appreciate the enormity of the task undertaken by Lillehei and his colleagues. Labeled by some as a “murderer”, Lillehei’s failures are covered with equal candor as his successes and one can’t help but feel some empathy for a pioneer whose career was cut short in surprising circumstances. Alongside the story of Lillehei, Miller also gives an informative and entertaining account of Lillehei’s collaborators and rivals. Men such as Dennis, Gibbon, DeWall, Cooley, DeBakey, Gross, Shumway and Bernard were all racing to find a technique that would allow open heart cardiac surgery possible. Anyone interested in medicine, heart problems, medical history or medical technology will find this book an informative and riveting account of those early years. This book should be put on the must read list for any student enrolled in a perfusion course as well as those currently practicing perfusion.