Balloon Angioplasty – The Legacy of Andreas Grüntzig, M.D. (1939–1985)

Abstract

In 1974, at the Medical Policlinic of the University of Zürich, German-born physician-scientist Andreas Grüntzig (1939–1985) for the first time applied a balloon-tipped catheter to re-open a severely stenosed femoral artery, a procedure, which he initially called “percutaneous transluminal dilatation”. Balloon angioplasty as a therapy of atherosclerotic vascular disease, for which Grüntzig and Charles T. Dotter (1920–1985) received a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1978, became one of the most successful examples of translational medicine in the twentieth century. Known today as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in peripheral arteries or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in coronary arteries, balloon angioplasty has become the method of choice to treat patients with acute myocardial infarction or occluded leg arteries. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of balloon angioplasty, we summarize Grüntzig’s life and career in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States and also review the developments in vascular medicine from the 1890s to the 1980s, including Dotter’s first accidental angioplasty in 1963. The work of pioneers of catheterization, including Pedro L. Fariñas in Cuba, André F. Cournand in France, Werner Forssmann, Werner Porstmann and Eberhard Zeitler in Germany, António Egas Moniz and Reynaldo dos Santos in Portugal, Sven-Ivar Seldinger in Sweden, and Barney Brooks, Thomas J. Fogarty, Melvin P. Judkins, Richard K. Myler, Dickinson W. Richards, and F. Mason Sones in the United States, is discussed. We also present quotes by Grüntzig and excerpts from his unfinished autobiography, statements of Grüntzig’s former colleagues and contemporary witnesses, and have included hitherto unpublished historic photographs and links to archive recordings and historic materials. This year, on June 25, 2014, Andreas Grüntzig would have celebrated his 75th birthday. This article is dedicated to his memory.

Diagnose und Therapie des kardiogenen Schocks im akuten Myokardinfarkt

“…Die Ätiologien des CS sind unterschiedlich, jedoch kann man den CI in ungefähr 80 % der Fälle auf einen akuten Myokardinfarkt (AMI) mit akutem Linksherzversagen zurückführen [7,13,14]. Auch mechanische Komplikationen eines AMI können im CS resultieren.…”

Historical Biography for Translational Medicine: An Important Genre for Translational Science

“…Success was accomplished by dedication, persistence, hard work, passion, unwavering dedication to attain the goal, and not being defeated by rejection. His comment that “ I have dedicated my life to vascular disease ” ( 1 ) stands in contrast to the often banal comment one might hear from many persons on their choice of career. The intensity of the “inner fire” that drove Andreas Gruntzig was evident to those around him ( 1 ).…”

“…His comment that “ I have dedicated my life to vascular disease ” ( 1 ) stands in contrast to the often banal comment one might hear from many persons on their choice of career. The intensity of the “inner fire” that drove Andreas Gruntzig was evident to those around him ( 1 ). The intensity of his passion, however, did not prevent him from making friends in the field, some of whom were instrumental in overcoming the roadblocks.…”

“…The recent paper by Barton et al ( 1 ) perhaps warrants defining a new genre – historical biography for translational medicine. The criteria for this genre should encompass (i) an accurate and comprehensive chronology of the relevant events and dates of the biographee, (ii) a description of the medical science at the time and the scientific question(s) that was (were) addressed, (iii) the other scientists/physicians who advanced the field to that point in time, (iv) the nature of the advancement made by the biographee, (v) the nature of the scientific obstacles that had to be overcome, (vi) the manner or method by which the person overcame the obstacles, (v) the method or manner of the advance from the fundamental research to clinical medicine, and (vii) the methods by which the person overcame the road blocks to the widespread utilization of the methodology and/or its utilization in the community or population at large.…”

Endoscopic balloon dilatation in pediatric patients with esophageal strictures: From the past to the future

“…Following its first successful use in re-opening an artery with stenosis by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig in 1974, 1 balloon catheter was applied to not only angioplasty but also dilatation of esophageal strictures under fluoroscope in two adults in 1981 and under fiberesophagoscope in seven patients, including a child with caustic stricture complicated twice with perforation in 1984. 2,3 Balloon catheters can pass thorough severe, lengthy, irregular esophageal strictures with a bendable guide wire with subsequent balloon catheter dilatation for patients who had failed treatment with conventional bougienage techniques.…”