She Invented That A digital museum of women in science

Scientist Exhibit

Helen Brooke Taussig

Medicine & Health

1898 – 1986 United States

Helped develop the Blalock-Taussig shunt for children with cyanotic congenital heart disease

Overview Institutions
Helen Brooke Taussig

Overview

About Helen Brooke Taussig

Helen Brooke Taussig was a physician who helped establish pediatric cardiology as a medical specialty. At Johns Hopkins she studied congenital heart defects and recognized that some children with severe cyanosis could benefit from increased blood flow to the lungs. Her clinical insight led to the development of the Blalock-Taussig shunt with surgeon Alfred Blalock and technician Vivien Thomas. The procedure transformed treatment for children with conditions such as tetralogy of Fallot.

Scientific Contribution

Key Discovery

Blalock-Taussig shunt

Development of a surgical shunt for children with cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Life Timeline

Important Moments

1930

career

Becomes head of the Harriet Lane cardiac clinic

Taussig became physician-in-charge of the children's cardiac clinic at Johns Hopkins, where she developed expertise in congenital heart disease.

1944

discovery

Helps develop the Blalock-Taussig shunt

Taussig's clinical insight into cyanotic heart disease helped lead Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas to develop a surgical shunt that increased blood flow to the lungs.

1945

publication

Reports the surgical treatment for blue baby syndrome

The results of the new operation for congenital pulmonary stenosis and atresia were published, helping establish modern paediatric cardiac surgery.

1965

career

Becomes the first woman president of the American Heart Association

Taussig became the first woman to serve as president of the American Heart Association.

Places & Networks

Institutions

hospital/clinical institution

Johns Hopkins Hospital — Harriet Lane Home

Baltimore , United States

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