STATE OF THE ART PAPER
The history of cardiopulmonary bypass and the evolution of pneuma in cardiopulmonary medicine
1
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Westpfalz Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany
2
School of Social Anthropology, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, UK
3
Department of Internal Medicine/Pneumonology, Westpfalz Klinikum, Kaiserslautern, Germany
4
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Ippokrateio General Hospital of Athens, Greece
5
Department of Oncology, University General Hospital of Patras, Greece
6
Department of General Surgery, University General Hospital of Patras, Greece
7
Department of General Surgery, General Hospital of Lamia, Greece
8
Department of Surgery, Spital Herisau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland
9
Department of Vascular Surgery, University General Hospital of Patras, Greece
Submission date: 2025-08-10
Final revision date: 2025-09-16
Acceptance date: 2025-10-27
Publication date: 2025-11-20
Corresponding author
Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis 2025;10(1):238-253
KEYWORDS
medical historycardiopulmonary bypassextracorporeal circulationheart-lung machineperfusion technologysurgical innovation
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is one of the most groundbreaking medical innovations in history, enabling safe and effective heart surgery by temporarily replacing the function of the heart and lungs. This article begins with ancient concepts of cardiopulmonary function, then traces the evolution of CPB through important physiological and anatomical discoveries, culminating in the development of the modern heart-lung machine. In addition to examining the contributions of significant figures such as Galen, Ibn al-Nafis, William Harvey, and John Gibbon, we also explore the ethical and technical challenges encountered in the early days of open-heart surgery. The historical trajectory of pneuma illustrates the transition from speculative medical theories to empirical science. While no longer relevant in modern physiology, pneuma has left an enduring legacy in medical terminology and holistic perspectives on health, highlighting the deep connections between ancient and contemporary medical thought.
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