Page 19 - CBAC Newsletter 2017
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pacemakers. Specifically, how changes in the What kind of hobbies and activities do you enjoy in your
morphology of the P wave led us to discover that the spare time?
canine and human sinus node was an insulated structure
with distinct exit pathways. It provided a whole new I like photography. With digital photography, anyone can
model for understanding atrial arrhythmias involving the get great pictures. I just got back from the Tetons, I took
sinus node. Two, the successful surgical treatment of over 600 pictures. Even by random chance some of
atrial fibrillation. I feel our lab has advanced the these would be good, but I think I am doing better than
understanding of the mechanisms of AF, but more random chance (see photos on p. 16). I like the outdoors,
importantly we have impacted patient care. We recently particularly the woods in remote areas of the Ozarks. And
compared our results of propensity matched patients of course, spending time with the grandchildren.
with AF who had the Maze procedure to those that did
not have it. There was a 20% better survival rate in How have you benefitted from being part of the CBAC?
patients who had that Maze procedure at 10 years. I am
glad that not only does the work I do satisfy me personal- The CBAC has been a great place to gather with people
ly, but I believe it is more important that we help people interested in cardiac electrophysiology ranging from
with what we learn. basic researchers to clinicians. It is a great place to build
collaborations. I really enjoy interacting with the
What have been some of the things that you have students. They are some of my best teachers.
learned in general since you have been in St. Louis?
One, I know less than I think I do. DID YOU KNOW?
• Schuessler’s daughter (Lindsay) is a NCAA Volleyball
Two, there are a lot of really smart people here at WU
that teach me that every day. Division III player who played for Washington University
in St. Louis and was part of the National Championship
Three, I need to hang out with more really smart people. team in 2007.
• Likes Cherry Coke Zero.
What do you feel is your most important personal • His wife, Dawn, has also been with the Department of
achievement? Surgery for over thirty years. Her mother was of Japanese
descent who lived in Honolulu during the attack on
My children, Lindsay and Richard. Pearl Harbor.
• Both of Schuessler’s great-grandparents emigrated to
What are your future goals or what do you expect to the US from Germany.
accomplish in the next few years? • September 25, 2017 was the 30th anniversary of the
first Cox Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation developed
To keep learning and exploring. To share in this process at the Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Laboratory
with students, residents, fellows, and faculty.
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