In Memoriam: Bernard Lown, MD

Abstract

How do you write an In Memoriam article about a giant in cardiology, one whose mere utterances were taken as therapeutic gospel, whose laying on of hands healed patients, whose golden tongue silenced critics and garnered supporters, and whose humanity and righteous indignation against nuclear war won a Nobel Peace Prize? One thing you don't do is just recap his well-known accomplishments—from establishing the clinical application of direct current synchronized cardioversion, 1 Lown B. Defibrillation and cardioversion. Cardiovasc Res. 2002; 55: 220-224 Crossref PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar early coronary care unit (CCU) guidance, 2 Graboys T.B. Lown B. Nitroglycerin: the mini wonder drug. Circulation. 2003; 108: 378-379 Crossref PubMed Google Scholar autonomic neural influences on arrhythmias, 3 Verrier R.L. Lown B. Behavioral stress and cardiac arrhythmias. Annu Rev Physiol. 1984; 46: 155-176 Crossref PubMed Scopus (107) Google Scholar and numerous other achievements 4 Lown B. Cash R.A. Rohde J.E. Renewed threat of nuclear holocaust requires physician activism. N Engl J Med. 2021; 384: 292 Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar — and publish them. Rather, you write about personal experiences that portray the man himself. 5 Zipes D.P. Damn the Naysayers. A Doctor’s Memoir. iUniverse Press, 2018 Google Scholar