Sergei S. Brukhonenko: the development of the first heart-lung machine for total body perfusion

Sergei S. Brukhonenko designed and constructed one of the earliest heart-lung machines. He was the first to experimentally perform a total body perfusion with the heart of the animal isolated from the circulation. His work paved the way to the first experimental operations on heart valves. Although Brukhoneko’s pioneering contributions have not received the recognition they deserve, his work represents an important landmark in cardiac surgery.