Pioneering Heart Surgeon Michael DeBakey Dies at Age 99

Posted by Richard Palace in July 13th, 2008

Dr. Michael DeBakey, the pioneering heart surgeon who is renowned for his procedures developing bypass surgery and invented a host of devices to help heart patients, died at the age of 99.

Houston’s Methodist Hospital officials said DeBakey died of natural causes. They gave no additional details.

In Feb 2006, DeBakey underwent surgery, that used a procedure that he invented, for a damaged aorta.

Michael DeBakey

“Dr. DeBakey’s reputation brought many people into this institution, and he treated them all: heads of state, entertainers, businessmen and presidents, as well as people with no titles and no means,” said Ron Girotto, president of the Methodist Hospital System.

“He has improved the human condition and touched the lives of generations to come.”

Dr. DeBakey is a pioneer in the development of artificial hearts, heart pumps, and other medical tools.

The famed doctor also assisted in the design of several surgical instruments as well.

DeBakey’s first wife, Diana Cooper DeBakey, died of a heart attack in 1972. Three years later, DeBakey married a German film actress, Katrin Fehlhaber.

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