The Science Museum - STEM Project Littlehampton Community School

1960  Profound hypothermia apparatus for open heart surgery

Surgeons began to have success with open heart surgery in the 1950's. This apparatus was developed at London's Westminster Hospital. It cooled patients by passing the blood through a heat exchanger. At about 14 Celsius the heart stopped completely. It became still and bloodless allowing surgeons to repair holes in the heart and other problems.

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