Institute for Cardiovascullar Research 1951–1971

Overview

Investigation of causes, pathogenesis, therapy and prevention of the most frequent circulatory diseases has beenthe key task of the Institute for Cardiovascular Research founded in 1951. The Institute’s Working groups werecreated accordingly: Arterial hypertension (headed by Jan Brod), Coronary heart disease (Vilém Ganz), Arterio-sclerosis (Tibor Zemplényi), Higher nervous activity in relation to circulation (Walter Ehrlich), Disturbance in thecirculatory regulations (Zdeněk Fejfar). Rheumatic heart disease, disturbed function of the kidneys and of theelectrolyte metabolism and peripheral vascular disease were also of the clinical interest. The care of patients wasthe indispensable basis for clinical research. Consisted of the clinical department with 80 beds, large outpatientdepartment, RTG, ECG, biochemical and haematological laboratories. Research projects originated from clinicalproblem investigated primarily in man. Animal experiment was used only in the solution on man proved not possible.Within a couple of years the Cardiovascular Research Institute became well known abroad and one of the leadingclinical centres in Czechoslovakia.

Key words:
history, cardiovascular research, Research Institute.