A MYSTERY OF DEMIKHOV,VLADIMIR,P - THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST INTRATHORACIC TRANSPLANTATION

Vladimir P. Demikhov was the first to perform intrathoracic transplant ation of the heart alone, lung alone, and the heart and lungs in a war m-blooded animal and the first to perform an experimental coronary art ery bypass operation with success. He designed the first mechanical ca rdiac substitute and was one of the first to use the vascular stapling device in experiments. In 1960 Demikhov published the world's first m onograph dealing with the subject of thoracic transplantation. This mo nograph, Experimental Transplantation of Vital Organs, became a ''bibl e of intrathoracic transplantation'' and deserves the recognition of e veryone who is interested in organ transplantation. However, to say on ly that Demikhov was the first in the world who performed these operat ions is to say nothing. It is important to describe the circumstances under which these operations were done to appreciate the true scale of his innovations. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.