Brian Barratt-Boyes
Encyclopedia
Sir Brian Gerald Barratt-Boyes, KBE
(13 January 1924 – 8 March 2006) was a pioneering heart surgeon from New Zealand
.
Barratt-Boyes went to Victoria University
before study medicine at Otago
's Medical School, graduating in 1946. He continued his training as a surgeon, initially in New Zealand, and later at the Mayo Clinic
(1953-5) and as a Nuffield Fellow in Bristol (1955-6). At Mayo he worked under John W. Kirklin
, the two developing a high mutual regard that endured and grew over the years.
In 1956 he was recruited back to Auckland
, New Zealand by Sir Douglas Robb
, and pioneered the development of cardiopulmonary bypass in that country, the first patient being operated on in 1958. While this task must have been made more difficult by New Zealand's relative remoteness and small population, the Greenlane Hospital surgical team quickly achieved an international reputation for innovative excellence. Indeed he suggested that Auckland's isolation conferred an advantage comparable to that enjoyed by the Mayo Clinic in small-town Rochester, Minnesota
, making it less likely that day-to-day interruptions would interfere with the real purpose of their work. Much of the original equipment had to be fashioned or modified locally. Sid Yarrow, an engineer on the team, built an early external pacemaker for intra-operative use. The first permanent unit, from Medtronic
, was implanted in 1961.
In 1962 he introduced, independently but simultaneously with Donald Ross in London, the human cadaveric aortic homograft for aortic valve replacement
and for many years he worked to perfect valve preparation, emphasizing its inherent physiologic advantages and simplifying its surgical implant technique. He and his team's results became the standard for others to match.
In 1969 he brought the technique of profound hypothermia
and circulatory arrest into the limelight as a practical method for dealing with major corrective surgery in neonate
s with congenital heart disease, in so doing further establishing Greenlane Hospital on the international stage. In recognition of these and other achievements he was knighted in 1971 further confirming a national prominence comparable to that achieved by René Favaloro
in Argentina
and Christiaan Barnard
in South Africa
. Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes showcased the Greenlane experience at many international meetings as well as in workshops he hosted in Auckland. The 1987 Asian Pacific Congress was a particular success for him for the size of the international contingent it drew and the bright spotlight it shone on Greenlane's history of achievement. In 1985 he and John Kirklin published their authoritative text Cardiac Surgery, a colossal achievement of more than 1,500 pages that quickly became the standard reference for the sub-specialty.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(13 January 1924 – 8 March 2006) was a pioneering heart surgeon from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Barratt-Boyes went to Victoria University
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
before study medicine at Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
's Medical School, graduating in 1946. He continued his training as a surgeon, initially in New Zealand, and later at the Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical practice and medical research group specializing in treating difficult patients . Patients are referred to Mayo Clinic from across the U.S. and the world, and it is known for innovative and effective treatments. Mayo Clinic is known for being at the top of...
(1953-5) and as a Nuffield Fellow in Bristol (1955-6). At Mayo he worked under John W. Kirklin
John W. Kirklin
John Webster Kirklin was born in Muncie, Indiana, United States. After graduating from Harvard Medical School in 1942 he made several important contributions to heart surgery while practicing at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota...
, the two developing a high mutual regard that endured and grew over the years.
In 1956 he was recruited back to Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand by Sir Douglas Robb
George Douglas Robb
Sir George Douglas Robb was a New Zealand surgeon, medical reformer, writer, and university chancellor. He was educated at the Auckland Grammar School and at the University of Otago...
, and pioneered the development of cardiopulmonary bypass in that country, the first patient being operated on in 1958. While this task must have been made more difficult by New Zealand's relative remoteness and small population, the Greenlane Hospital surgical team quickly achieved an international reputation for innovative excellence. Indeed he suggested that Auckland's isolation conferred an advantage comparable to that enjoyed by the Mayo Clinic in small-town Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, making it less likely that day-to-day interruptions would interfere with the real purpose of their work. Much of the original equipment had to be fashioned or modified locally. Sid Yarrow, an engineer on the team, built an early external pacemaker for intra-operative use. The first permanent unit, from Medtronic
Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. , based in suburban Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the world's largest medical technology company and is a Fortune 500 company.- History :...
, was implanted in 1961.
In 1962 he introduced, independently but simultaneously with Donald Ross in London, the human cadaveric aortic homograft for aortic valve replacement
Aortic valve replacement
Aortic valve replacement is a cardiac surgery procedure in which a patient's failing aortic valve is replaced with an alternate healthy valve. The aortic valve can be affected by a range of diseases; the valve can either become leaky or partially blocked...
and for many years he worked to perfect valve preparation, emphasizing its inherent physiologic advantages and simplifying its surgical implant technique. He and his team's results became the standard for others to match.
In 1969 he brought the technique of profound hypothermia
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
and circulatory arrest into the limelight as a practical method for dealing with major corrective surgery in neonate
Infant
A newborn or baby is the very young offspring of a human or other mammal. A newborn is an infant who is within hours, days, or up to a few weeks from birth. In medical contexts, newborn or neonate refers to an infant in the first 28 days after birth...
s with congenital heart disease, in so doing further establishing Greenlane Hospital on the international stage. In recognition of these and other achievements he was knighted in 1971 further confirming a national prominence comparable to that achieved by René Favaloro
René Favaloro
Dr. René Gerónimo Favaloro was an Argentine cardiac surgeon who created the technique for coronary bypass surgery....
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Christiaan Barnard
Christiaan Barnard
Christiaan Neethling Barnard was a South African cardiac surgeon who performed the world's first successful human-to-human heart transplant.- Early life :...
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Sir Brian Barratt-Boyes showcased the Greenlane experience at many international meetings as well as in workshops he hosted in Auckland. The 1987 Asian Pacific Congress was a particular success for him for the size of the international contingent it drew and the bright spotlight it shone on Greenlane's history of achievement. In 1985 he and John Kirklin published their authoritative text Cardiac Surgery, a colossal achievement of more than 1,500 pages that quickly became the standard reference for the sub-specialty.