Carl J. Wiggers

A Wiggers' diagram

Carl J. Wiggers(May 28, 1883 – April 28, 1963) was a doctor and medical researcher famous for his heart and blood-pressure research. He developed theWiggers diagram,which is commonly used in teaching of cardiovascular research.

Wiggers was born inDavenport, Iowa,to George and Margret Kuendal Wiggers, graduated from theUniversity of Michiganwith an M.D. in 1906, and attended the Institute of Physiology at theUniversity of Munich.He was an instructor of physiology at the University of Michigan (1906–1911), and assistant professor atCornell University Medical School(1911–1918). From 1918 to 1953, he was professor and chairman of the Dept. of Physiology atWestern Reserve University Medical Schoolthat became known asCase Western Reserve University School of Medicine.Wiggers achieved world recognition for developing a new method of registering heart and blood pressure, finding the effects of low oxygen pressure on circulation, discovering the effects of valve defects on the heart, studying the effects of shock, and his pioneering efforts along with Dr. Claude Beck and others in techniques of resuscitation from death in the operating room.

After retiring as professor emeritus in 1953, Wiggers joined the Frank Bunts Institute of theCleveland Clinic Foundation,taking part in postgraduate training for student doctors and in medical and scientific seminars. Wiggers established and was the first editor of the medical journalCirculation Researchand authored seven books and over 300 articles. In 1952, he received the Gold Heart Award from theAmerican Heart Association.In 1951, he was elected to theNational Academy of Sciences.In 1954, he received the Modern Medicine Award, and in 1955 theAlbert Lasker Awardfor distinguished research in cardiovascular research.

Wiggers married Minnie E. Berry in 1907 and had two sons, Harold and Raymond.

External links

• APS biography of Carl J. Wiggers
• "Carl John Wiggers 1883-1963 A Biographical Memoir" by Eugene M. Landis, National Academy of Sciences (PDF, 37 pages)