Who had a pre-excitation syndrome of the heart named after him and introduced a new use for the drug lidocaine?
Bernard Lown Bernard Lown (born June 7, 1921) is the original developer of the DC defibrillator and the cardioverter, as well as a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Lown developed the direct current defibrillator for cardiac resuscitation and the cardioverter for correcting rapid disordered heart rhythms, and introduced a new use for the drug lidocaine to control heartbeat disturbances.
Lidocaine Lidocaine, also known as xylocaine and lignocaine, is a medication used to numb tissue in a specific area. It is also used to treat ventricular tachycardia and to perform nerve blocks. Lidocaine mixed with a small amount of adrenaline (epinephrine) is available to allow larger doses for numbing, to decrease bleeding, and to make the numbing effect last longer. When used as an injectable, it typically begins working within four minutes and lasts for half an hour to three hours. Lidocaine mixtures may also be applied directly to the skin or mucous membranes to numb the area.