The direct current defibrillator replaced dangerous alternating current methods after clinical trials proved it could consistently restore heart rhythms without causing muscular damage. Developed in 1961, this medical breakthrough anchored a century-long career in cardiology that spanned from foundational research at Harvard University to the global promotion of nuclear disarmament through medical advocacy.
Early Development and Academic Training
Born in Utena, Lithuania, in 1921, Boruch Lac emigrated to Maine at age 14. He completed his undergraduate studies in zoology at the University of Maine in 1942 before obtaining an M.D. from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in 1945. His clinical training included positions at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, Montefiore Medical Center, and the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, where he worked under the guidance of Samuel A. Levine.
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Lown challenged the prevailing medical standard of prolonged bed rest for heart attack patients, which often led to fatal pulmonary embolisms. By advocating for patient movement, he helped reduce mortality rates significantly. His investigations into heart rhythm disturbances led to the introduction of lidocaine for controlling cardiac instability and the development of the Lown waveform, which remains a standard in modern resuscitation technology.
Advocacy and Institutional Leadership
Beyond his laboratory contributions, Lown founded the Lown Cardiovascular Center, the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation, and the Lown Institute. In 1985, he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, an organization he co-founded with Yevgeny Chazov. He served as Professor of Cardiology Emeritus at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health until his death in 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 1921, Utena, Lithuania
- Died: 2021, Chestnut Hill, United States
- Primary Field: Cardiology
- Education: University of Maine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Notable Invention: Direct current defibrillator
- Key Award: Nobel Peace Prize (1985)
- Professional Affiliation: Harvard University
- Citizenship: United States and Lithuania
Questions readers ask
What was the Lown waveform?
It refers to a specific direct current pulse demonstrated in 1961 that reversed ventricular fibrillation safely without causing muscle injury.
Did Bernard Lown hold any state honors?
Yes, he was named a Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas
- Held posts at Harvard University
- Fields: medicine, internal medicine and cardiology