Eckhard U. Alt (born 9 November 1949 in Pforzheim) is a German scientist and physician known for his contributions in cardiology and research.[1]

Early life edit

After attending the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and University in Rhode Island, Alt completed his Staatsexamen as valedictorian in 1974. He completed his specialization in internal medicine, intensive care medicine and cardiology at the Klinikum Rechts der Isar of the Technische Universität München after which he habilitated in 1984.

Career edit

Alt is Professor of Medicine, Adjunct Professor for Biomedical Engineering and Director for Cardiovascular Research at Tulane University in New Orleans[2] as well as the Todd and Linda Broin chair and Distinguished Professor of Sanford Health in South Dakota.[3] He was also Professor of Medicine at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center of University of Texas in Houston[4] and a member of the medical faculty at the Technische Universität in München. Alt is also the co-founder of the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society and was President of the International Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Society for 8 years.[citation needed]

Procedures for therapies have been developed in Alt's research labs in Houston, New Orleans and Munich. He has inventions in the fields of therapy, electrophysiology as well as interventional cardiology and holds over 650 patents[5] in key technologies that are used in pacemakers today. Eckhard Alt has authored numerous scientific publications[6] and is a member of the editorial and review board of medical and scientific journals.

A number of companies have been founded by Alt. InFlow Dynamics, a medical technology company, developed and distributed heart catheters for interventional cardiology and was eventually acquired by Boston Scientific.[7] His research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston resulted in the founding of the medical technology company InGeneron where he currently serves as chairman of the board.[8] InGeneron offers products for the extraction of adult regenerative cells for autologous use in humans and animals. He is also founder and chairman of the supervisory board at ISAR Klinikum[9] in Munich.

Philanthropic work edit

Alt participates in charitable organizations and projects. In addition to various foundations that he started for the promotion of scientific research and education, he supports projects in developing countries. The Dodoma Medical Center[10] in Dodoma, Tanzania as well as the Mamma Clementina girls school in Moshi are two institutions supported by him.

Distinctions and honors edit

  • Research prize of the European Society for Cardiovascular Surgery 1998[11]
  • Research prize of the Erasmus Universität Rotterdam als Best Cardiovascular Researcher 1997[citation needed]
  • Named one of the leading cardiologists and specialists cardiac arrhythmia in the publications: Die besten 1.000 Ärzte (The best 1000 doctors) und Die besten 100 Kardiologen Deutschlands (The best 100 cardiologists in Germany[12]
  • Businessman of the Year 2009 in Munich[13]
  • Innovator of the Year 2009 in Houston[14]

Excerpt of Publications edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The Sanford Project selects new leader". Sanford Health. Retrieved 2016-11-16.
  2. ^ Tulane University - Heart and Vascular Institute
  3. ^ Sanford Health Newsroom
  4. ^ "M.D. Anderson Center - Faculty Members". Archived from the original on 2016-03-24. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  5. ^ ISAR Klinikum - Eckhard Alt
  6. ^ DLD Conference Eckhard Alt
  7. ^ Corporation, Boston Scientific. "Boston Scientific Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire Inflow Dynamics Inc". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  8. ^ InGeneron Inc.
  9. ^ "YouTube - Prof. Dr. med. Eckhard Alt" (in German). ISAR Klinikum. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  10. ^ Dodoma Christian Medial Center - Pressemitteilung
  11. ^ "Tualne University - Eckhard Alt CV" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  12. ^ "SIGMA Akademie - Profil". Archived from the original on 2016-03-02. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  13. ^ "CSU Ball München - Unternehmer des Jahres". Archived from the original on 2013-01-15. Retrieved 2016-04-15.
  14. ^ "InGeneron - Profil". Archived from the original on 2016-04-02. Retrieved 2016-04-15.