DOI: 10.1097/ao9.0000000000000030 ISSN: 3068-4129

Eugene Braunwald and the Enduring Legacy of Modern Cardiology

Kathryn E. McGoldrick

Eugene Braunwald (1929 to 2026), the father of modern cardiology, was an innovative genius who changed the trajectory of his specialty. He reframed the thinking surrounding myocardial infarction, described the determinants of myocardial oxygen demand, illuminated the natural history of aortic stenosis, and provided novel insights into the pathophysiology and treatment of valvular heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. His impact, however, extended beyond the confines of cardiology, enhancing anesthesiologists’ ability to provide safer perioperative care.

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