Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital cardiovascular surgeons recently reached a milestone by performing their 100,000th heart procedure using a heart-lung machine. "This is a remarkable achievement that is most likely unequaled by any other cardiovascular center," said Denton A. Cooley, M.D., founder, president and surgeon-in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute and chief of cardiovascular surgery at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. "Such an accomplishment is a testament to the exceptional dedication and skilled services provided by our surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and, most certainly, the perfusionists who ensure the smooth operation of these machines."

Among the 6000 hospitals across the country, the most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control show the average number of heart surgeries performed is approximately 137. It would take 730 years to match the volume achieved in 45 years by this group of physicians.

Dr. Denton A. Cooley, founder, president, and surgeon-in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute, and chief of cardiovascular surgery at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, was recently inducted as a charter member of the Texas Science Hall of Fame at a special ceremony during the Texas Science Summit in San Antonio.  Summit organizers established this recognition to acknowledge Texans who have made significant scientific contributions both nationally and worldwide, and to stimulate interest in scientific careers. 

Dr. Cooley was selected for this honor because of his pioneering efforts in the development of many surgical techniques for coronary bypasses, aortic aneurysm repair and congenital heart anomalies in infants and children.  He was also recognized for his contributions to the development of methods to repair and replace diseased heart valves.

Some of the other inductees that evening included Eugene A. Cernan, NASA astronaut; Dr. Robert Curl, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Rice University; Dr. William Davis, Professor of Natural Science, St. Phillips College; Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, Chancellor Emeritus, Baylor College of Medicine; Jack C. Kilby, inventor of the integrated circuit, Texas Instruments; Dr. Richard Smalley, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Rice Quantum Institute; Dr. Steven Weinberg, Nobel Laureate in Physics, The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. O. H. Frazier is featured in an article about the progress in the development of artificial hearts.

See THE ARTIFICIAL HEART / The beat of progress /Researchers close to perfecting a new generation of devices by DAVID  KINNEY of  the Associated Press in Section: D, Page 8 Medicine of the Houston Chronicle, or click here for the on-line article. 

Dr. Frazier Installs Heart Pump in Young Mother to Save her Life

In early March 1999, Michelle Lambert, 32, was suffering from dizzy spells, sleeplessness and extreme hot flashes. At St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, home of the Texas Heart Institute it was determined that she had profound heart failure, and conventional medical and surgical treatments were unsuccessful. Dr. O.H. Frazier, co-director of the Texas Heart Institute's Cullen Cardiovascular Research Laboratory and director of Surgical Research, implanted an external cardiac assist pump, manufactured by Thoratec Laboratories, Inc. and save her life....Click here to get the full story!

Dr. Denton A. Cooley receives National Medal of Technology

America's Highest Honor for Technological Innovation, from President Bill Clinton. Click here for the details.