The Heart of Pittsburgh. Magovern-Cromie Heart Valve & Zoll Life Vest both invented in Pittsburgh

Yes Pittsburgh is known for 3 rivers, US Steel, 465 bridges, Clemente, Stargell, Bradshaw, Harris, Mean Joe Greene, Lynn Swann, Honus Wagner, Mario Lemieux, numerous Superbowl's, Heinz, Alcoa, George Westinghouse, Carnegie Mellon, Cathedral of Learning, Duquesne Incline, Duquesne University, Mr. Rogers, + dozens of other corporate headquarters and thousands of other distinctions.

Pittsburgh, The home of beautiful brick streets, windy roads, insane drivers, having 140 fiefdoms, but let's discuss THE HEART OF PITTSBURGH

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Invented in Castle Shannon

Dr. George Magovern, a cardiothoracic surgeon, developed a number of important cardiac surgical techniques and devices during his career in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One of his major contributions was the development of the Magovern-Cromie (MC) aortic valve prosthesis in the 1960s.

The MC valve was designed as an alternative to other prosthetic heart valves available at the time, which were prone to failure due to calcification and thrombosis. The MC valve was made from synthetic materials and had a unique design that allowed for better blood flow and reduced the risk of clotting.

Dr. Magovern's innovative work in cardiac surgery has had a significant impact on the field, and his contributions continue to be recognized and celebrated today.

Dr. Magovern and engineer John Cromie collaborated to develop the Magovern-Cromie (MC) aortic valve prosthesis in the 1960s. The MC valve was a synthetic heart valve designed to replace a damaged or diseased aortic valve, which regulates blood flow between the heart and the rest of the body.

The MC valve had a unique design compared to other prosthetic heart valves available at the time. The valve was made of a cloth-covered Dacron fabric, which was sewn onto a metal frame and coated with silicone. The metal frame was designed to be flexible and to conform to the patient's natural valve shape, reducing the risk of leaks or other complications.

Dr. Magovern and Mr. Cromie's innovative work in developing the MC valve helped to improve outcomes for patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery and has had a lasting impact on the field of cardiac surgery.