Contributions to electrophysiology by Douglas P. Zipes, MD, have advanced treatment of disease

An influential figure for many prominent cardiologists, Zipes continues an active role in furthering the understanding and treatment of arrhythmias.

Even after publishing more than 800 articles and 22 textbooks, Douglas P. Zipes, MD, continues to expand his writing abilities. This time, however, in another genre altogether — fiction.

Zipes is the founding editor of both Heart Rhythm and the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology. He received his MD from Harvard Medical School in 1964 and his postgraduate training at Duke University Medical Center from 1964 to 1968. His academic career led him from assistant professor of medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1970, to professor of medicine in 1976, and then distinguished professor of medicine, pharmacology and toxicology in 1994, and director of the cardiology division and Krannert Institute of Cardiology from 1995 to 2004.

Douglas P. Zipes, MD Founding Editor of both Heart Rhythm and the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology. American Heart Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 1989. President’s Medal from Indiana University in 2010. Member, Arrhythmia Disorders section of Cardiology Today’s Editorial Board.

Although he has garnered many awards, ranging from the American Heart Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 1989 to the President’s Medal from Indiana University in 2010, Zipes said his most gratifying career accomplishments have resulted in no awards and surprisingly little acknowledgement.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not practicing medicine?

There are several things. First of all, I enjoy family. My three children and five grandchildren all live 10 minutes away. We get together for family functions at least once a week, sometimes more often. I enjoy opera and almost always have opera in the background as I’m working.

And I also enjoy fiction writing. I have my first novel published called The Black Widows, which has garnered incredibly successful reviews on Amazon.com, and I’m three-quarters through my second novel. My third book will be a sequel to the first. As a matter of fact, the publisher is thrilled with the way sales are going and signed me to another 2-year contract for the book.

If you hadn’t gone into cardiology or medicine, what would you have done?

That’s a hard question to answer, because medicine has been my focus since I can remember. But I do know, as I’ve traveled around the world, that it would have to be some sort of discovery. One of the things that has fascinated me is anthropology. I remember seeing 10 or 12 footsteps preserved in volcanic ash that Mary Leakey discovered in Laetoli, Africa. It is the first evidence of man walking upright 3.6 million years ago.

What would you consider one of your biggest successes in your specialty?

There have been a number I’m proud of. One thing that has been a success has been my nurturing of young people and being a mentor. I can point to some very accomplished scientists, both clinical and basic, who have trained with us, and that always gives me pleasure.

In terms of personal discovery, one of the things for which I get very little credit, interestingly, is I invented the implantable cardioverter. Michel Mirowski, and rightly so, gets huge credit for the implantable defibrillator, but apparently cardioversion never dawned on him. To this day, I have not made a penny from that invention because I invented it while consulting for Medtronic. And my contract then read that all inventions went to them. So they’ve recouped I don’t know how many hundreds of millions of dollars on that invention, which, of course, is the “C” of every ICD.

What is the last book you read/music you purchased? Why, and what did you think of it?

The book that I last read was the recently published Mark Twain autobiography, which has been fascinating reading. I have started and discarded a number of the typical thriller-type books, since I’m now writing in that genre and I lose interest very quickly in what the authors are doing. I read their writings critically, and I don’t really like them. Frankly, I find it a distraction to my own writing.

In terms of music, I enjoy opera. I’ve purchased new renditions of old operas. My musical interests are rather narrow; primarily, Italian opera.

Whom do you most admire, and what would you ask that person if you had 5 minutes with him/her?

Certainly, a living person is Eugene Braunwald, MD, whom I most admire in medicine and cardiology. He, without much competition, has been the most important figure in contemporary cardiology, and deservedly so. He has been a long-time friend and supporter and is someone I often turn to for good advice.

In terms of historical figures, there are so many fascinating individuals, but with my opera interests, I would say Giuseppe Verdi. I would love to talk to him to understand his creativity and what motivated him to write so many operas. I frequently get carried away listening to a performance. I’ve tried to capture in my budding authorship the drama that Verdi portrayed in some of the intense scenes of his operas.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

To enjoy the journey as you’re living it. This is advice my wife, Joan, gave me shortly after we were married. I was aspiring to be someone who would be remembered, after I was dead, from my contributions to medicine, and her response was, “You are going to be dead then! What does it matter if somebody remembers you? What you need to do is enjoy the journey as you’re getting to where you’re going.” And that’s been very true.

Whom do you consider your mentor?

Probably Gordon Moe, MD. When Indiana [University] was recruiting me, the enticement they used was to offer me a sabbatical for my very first year. I could go anyplace in the world I wanted to train, while being an assistant professor at Indiana. I chose to work with Gordon Moe, who then was the biggest name in cardiac electrophysiology. I chose to spend a year with him, and he remained my scientific father in cardiac arrhythmias and electrophysiology.

What kind of diet and exercise regimen do you have?

I have a very rigorous exercise regimen. I do between a half-hour and an hour of treadmill and Stairmaster every day. Then, on alternate days, I do body-building for an additional half-hour. During the summer, when my outdoor pool is open, I also add a 20 to 30 minute swim to that regimen.

With my diet, I’m pretty liberal. I generally don’t eat desserts, but if I want a steak, I’ll eat a steak; if I want fish, pasta, whatever, I eat it. I really don’t deny myself that kind of choice.

What do you think will have the biggest influence on cardiology in the next 10 years?

I think genetics. As a matter of fact, if I were to start over again in cardiology I would probably go into genetics. The young researchers of today will eventually practice genetic medicine, not just to do a genetic analysis on a patient to find out what long QT they are, but to actually apply therapeutic genetics to patients. Also, its close cousin, molecular biology, with the ability to create artificial pacemakers and artificial conduction and cardiac repair, is revolutionizing cardiology.

What is your favorite travel destination?

It certainly has to be the Caribbean for the months my wife and I spend down here during the winter. For just a visit, we love Italy and, particularly, southern Italy. I love the Italian food and the people and the country, so that would be a very close second.

What is your favorite restaurant?

We just had a wonderful Italian dinner in the Caribbean at a little place called Luna Rosa on Anguilla. They made a beautiful dish of fresh clams and pasta. It was just great. – by Brian Ellis