David C. Macgregor

David C. MacGregor Naples, FL

David C. MacGregor, Cardiovascular Surgeon and Researcher 1937 - 2011.

A Canadian Doctor who practiced in Canada and the United States while performing pioneering work on the metabolism and mechanics of the heart and developing a new biomaterials concept to improve the design and performance of pacemaker leads, artificial heart valves, heart assist devices, synthetic blood vessels and stent-grafts.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on October 24, 1937, Dr. MacGregor attended the University of Toronto Schools and proceeded to graduate with honours from the University of Toronto School of Medicine in 1962. As chance would have it, the first rotation of his junior internship at the Toronto General Hospital was in cardiovascular surgery under the direction of the renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Wilfred G. Bigelow, known for his historic contributions to the use of hypothermia in open-heart surgery and the development of the heart pacemaker. Dr. MacGregor was fascinated by the early development of such surgical devices as pacemakers, heart valves and artificial arteries and approached Dr. Bigelow as to the possibility of training to become a cardiovascular surgeon. His encouraging response was to "Spend the following year as a research fellow in cardiovascular surgery at the Banting Institute and we will take it from there." This led to a year's research plus obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in medicine based on the published research in his thesis entitled, "Studies in Hypothermia with special reference to the Basic Physiology of Alcohol, Hibernation and A Biologically-energized Pacemaker" and being awarded the Starr Medal for Research. One can only imagine his reaction to Dr. Bigelow's statement, "Plan on coming on my staff on or about 1970 (if all goes well) and expect to spend another year doing research in the process" (the R. Samuel McLaughlin Travelling Fellowship). After becoming a Staff Surgeon and Assistant Professor in Cardiovascular Surgery in 1970, he was appointed Director of the Cardiovascular Laboratories at the Banting Institute in charge of the experimental research for the division. He took a special interest in heart preservation during heart-lung bypass by monitoring oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the heart and specialized in heart pacemaker implantation, design and computerized followup.

In 1974, he became aware of the use of porous metal surfaces to affix orthopedic devices to bone. This became the subject of intense research into the use of such surfaces to improve the performance of medical devices within the bloodstream and led to his first United States Patent (out of 27) entitled "Cardiovascular Devices and Implants with Porous Surfaces" awarded in 1978. In 1979, the porous-surfaced pacemaker electrode was approved for clinical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration. In 1981, he was offered the unique opportunity of joining Cordis Corporation in Miami, FL (one of the two largest manufacturers of heart pacemakers) as Vice President, Medical Research while retaining his position and privileges as Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto. The acceptance of this position, with the encouragement of his colleagues, led to an unprecedented collaboration between university-based experimental research and the resources of the medical device industry to realize the development of cardiovascular devices and implants for clinical application. In 1982, Dr. MacGregor became a Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Miami and in 1985 he was promoted to President of Cordis Research Corporation, a team of 70 scientists and engineers charged with the development of new products to serve the cardiovascular market. Building on research conducted at the Ontario Research Foundation in Canada, a spun polyurethane compliant vascular graft for applications in coronary and peripheral vascular surgery was developed which led to clinical trials as a synthetic vascular graft and a stentgraft for aortic and peripheral artery reconstruction. In 1987, Dr. MacGregor co-founded Corvita Corporation in Miami, FL, whose charter was to develop a line of synthetic vascular grafts for commercial use based on porous plastic technology. In the meantime, he licensed Thoratec Corporation to use his porous metal technology as a blood compatible surface to line the HeartMate heart assist device. Although porous metal surfaces on artificial heart valves underwent successful animal trials, newer technologies superseded their clinical application. This body of work is documented in over 100 scientific papers in the medical literature. In summary, Dr. MacGregor, through collaboration with the medical profession, the university, the medical device industry and governmental regulatory bodies, was able to bring his ideas for improved medical devices to fruition.

Other accomplishments outside the academic world include becoming a concert pianist reaching grade 10 at the University of Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music, 10 years as a member and leader in the Boy Scouts Association of Canada, 12 years as a member and leader in the YMCA culminating in his representing Canada at the World Centennial Conference in France, five years of wilderness camping leading to becoming the Program Director of Camp Temagami in Ontario, 42 years of downhill skiing as a member of the Alpine Ski Club of Toronto and a model railroading hobbyist since 1948.

Dr. MacGregor passed away on September 21, 2011. He is survived by Nancy, his loving and supportive wife of 43 years; his daughter, Jennifer; his son, Bruce; and his three grandchildren, Campbell, Morgan, and Liam.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2011.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2011 at Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd., Toronto, followed by interment at Park Lawn Cemetery.

In memory of Dr. MacGregor donations may be made to the Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, 525 University Avenue, 14th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5G 2L3, to be granted to the David C. MacGregor Fund in Basic Science Cardiovascular Research.