Kenneth Keown (1917-1985): Innovator in Early Cardiac Anesthesiology

Kenneth Keown, MD, was a forward-thinking anesthesiologist who developed techniques to allow the safe practice of cardiac anesthesia and opened the door for the future development of more complex intracardiac surgical procedures. His early successful protocols for cardiac anesthesiology and his wide-reaching education of others on these methods earned him the designation of "the grand old man of anesthesia for inside-the-heart surgery" at a young age. His contributions also extended to groundbreaking research in hypothermia, lidocaine uses as an antiarrhythmic, and advocacy for anesthesiology as a specialty. We highlight the accomplishments of Dr. Keown that may be unrecognized by those outside the field of cardiac anesthesiology, as they paved the way for the success of modern cardiac surgery.