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The surprising rise of nonthrombogenic valvular surgery

Nature Medicine volume 13, pages 1165–1168 (2007)Cite this article

Surgery has always been regarded as an art rather than a science—the art of curing diseases by manipulating instruments with one's hands. In the past, progress resulted from the development of new ways of cutting, excising, resealing and suturing. Nowadays, this is no longer the case.

My own specialty—cardiac surgery—did not exist 60 years ago. Its spectacular development would not have been possible without the contribution of basic sciences and engineering. Surgeons who participated in its development had to master these sciences. A visit to a cardiac surgery operating room may give an idea of the influence of these disciplines.

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Figure 1: First (homemade) glutaraldehyde-treated pig valve implanted in human.
Figure 2: First- and second-generation bioprostheses.
Figure 3: A bioprosthesis compressed within a stent can be introduced percutaneously or through the apex of the beating heart.
Figure 4: Valve reconstruction.

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Acknowledgements

I would like to acknowledge my second family: the members of my research laboratory. As Diaghilev said to Nijinsky, I often tell them, “Surprise me!”, and they do it. I am proud to mention among others the seminal contributions of J.C. Chachques to dynamic cardiomyoplasty, P. Menasché to cell therapy, N. Lila to the study of HLA-G histocompatibility antigen expression in transplanted patients, and E. Martinod, who first showed the surprising metaplasia of an aorta into a true neo-trachea when implanted into the tracheal environment. My final words are to express my deep gratitude to the Lasker Foundation for the honor of being distinguished with such a highly prestigious award that I share with all the members of my laboratory and my department of cardiac surgery.

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  1. Alain Carpentier is professor emeritus at the University of Paris V René Descartes and cardiac surgeon at Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, 20 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France.,

    Alain Carpentier

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Carpentier, A. The surprising rise of nonthrombogenic valvular surgery. Nat Med 13, 1165–1168 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1645

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