Vivien Thomas is a brilliant hero recognized for his groundbreaking research regarding the illness called the “Blue baby syndrome”. Due to Thomas’ unfaltering determination and passion for pursuing a career in the medical field, his innovative ideas and inventions have immensely advanced our medical technology. With hands blessed by the Almighty, he saved countless numbers of infants diagnosed with the Tetralogy of Fallot.
The Great Depression that plagued America in the 1930’s is held accountable for the loss of Thomas’ money that he had been saving for years. The money he trusted the bank to keep was the money that he was going to use to invest in his education. Despite his financial trouble and losing the opportunity to further his education, …show more content…
Blalock did his research for the Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a condition that “affects the structure of the heart and cause oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and to the rest of the body” (American Heart Association). Newborns are the only ones that are diagnosed with this disease. For this ambitious research for curing “Blue baby syndrome” or Tetralogy of Fallot, Dr. Blalock insisted that Vivien Thomas must accompany and assist him. They spent hours in the lab trying to find methods and solutions that will allow them to cure the illness that afflicted thousands of infants. Ultimately, their diligence and the time they invested on the research bore fruit. The incredible duo rectified the heart defect by linking the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery. This surgical procedure increased the efflux of blood to the lungs and increased the life expectancy of numerous babies. With Vivien's assistance, Dr. Blalock also conducted experiments on lab dogs that would help him gain a better understanding of hypertension and traumatic shock. While working with lab dogs, Thomas invented a “heavy spring device which they used to apply varying degrees of pressure to the extremities of animals” (Contemporary Black
The Great Depression that plagued America in the 1930’s is held accountable for the loss of Thomas’ money that he had been saving for years. The money he trusted the bank to keep was the money that he was going to use to invest in his education. Despite his financial trouble and losing the opportunity to further his education, …show more content…
Blalock did his research for the Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a condition that “affects the structure of the heart and cause oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and to the rest of the body” (American Heart Association). Newborns are the only ones that are diagnosed with this disease. For this ambitious research for curing “Blue baby syndrome” or Tetralogy of Fallot, Dr. Blalock insisted that Vivien Thomas must accompany and assist him. They spent hours in the lab trying to find methods and solutions that will allow them to cure the illness that afflicted thousands of infants. Ultimately, their diligence and the time they invested on the research bore fruit. The incredible duo rectified the heart defect by linking the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery. This surgical procedure increased the efflux of blood to the lungs and increased the life expectancy of numerous babies. With Vivien's assistance, Dr. Blalock also conducted experiments on lab dogs that would help him gain a better understanding of hypertension and traumatic shock. While working with lab dogs, Thomas invented a “heavy spring device which they used to apply varying degrees of pressure to the extremities of animals” (Contemporary Black