Both grants are awarded to enable him to do fundamental studies on muscle energetics. With national AHA support, Dr. Alfred Farah examines the influence of sulfahydryl compounds as diuretics. The next year, Dr. William Schwartz, also receiving national funding, finds sulfanilamide can act as a diuretic.
Diuretics are useful in treating congestive heart failure and high blood pressure.
This discovery spurs the American Heart Association to assume a leading role in urging Americans to change their eating habits. Dr. Paul Zoll, aided by the Massachusetts Affiliate, publishes the first report about successfully ending ventricular fibrillation in humans by externally applied countershock. Dr. William Wierich, assisted by support from the Minnesota Affiliate and joined by Drs. Vincent Gott and Walter Lillehei, implants the first externally powered pacemaker in a patient with a surgical heart blockage. Dr. Edward Freis, funded by both the Nation's Capital Affiliate and the National Center, determines that chlorothiazide, taken alone or with other anti-hypertensive drugs, is effective in reducing blood pressure.