Carey Coombs
Encyclopedia
Carey Franklin Coombs was a British cardiologist.
He was awarded his M.B. in 1901, M.D. in 1903 and made a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1917. He became Physician at Bristol General Hospital
in 1920 and Director of the Bristol University Centre of Cardiac Research in 1927. During WWI he was a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps
and served in England, Egypt, Mesopotamia and France.
He is best-known for his work involving rheumatic and coronary heart disease
. He performed important studies of rheumatic fever
, and described a rumbling mid-diastolic
cardiac murmur
that occurs in the acute phase of rheumatic fever. This cardiac murmur is now referred to as the "Carey Coombs murmur
". In 1910 he made one of the earliest diagnoses of coronary thrombosis
, and before his death in 1932, he had documented 144 cases of this condition.
His best known written work is Rheumatic Heart Disease, which was published in 1924. He is also remembered for his work in the management and prevention of childhood heart disease. In 1930 he delivered the Lumleian Lectures
to the Royal College of Physicians
.
He was awarded his M.B. in 1901, M.D. in 1903 and made a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1917. He became Physician at Bristol General Hospital
Bristol General Hospital
Bristol General Hospital is a rehabilitation hospital in Guinea Street, Harbourside, Bristol, in the south west of England...
in 1920 and Director of the Bristol University Centre of Cardiac Research in 1927. During WWI he was a Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
and served in England, Egypt, Mesopotamia and France.
He is best-known for his work involving rheumatic and coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease
Coronary artery disease is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease...
. He performed important studies of rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that occurs following a Streptococcus pyogenes infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever. Believed to be caused by antibody cross-reactivity that can involve the heart, joints, skin, and brain, the illness typically develops two to three weeks after...
, and described a rumbling mid-diastolic
Diastole
Diastole is the period of time when the heart fills with blood after systole . Ventricular diastole is the period during which the ventricles are relaxing, while atrial diastole is the period during which the atria are relaxing...
cardiac murmur
Heart murmur
Murmurs are extra heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow that is sufficient to produce audible noise. Most murmurs can only be heard with the assistance of a stethoscope ....
that occurs in the acute phase of rheumatic fever. This cardiac murmur is now referred to as the "Carey Coombs murmur
Carey Coombs murmur
The Carey Coombs murmur or Coombs murmur is a clinical sign which occurs in patients with mitral valvulitis due to acute rheumatic fever. It is described as a short, mid-diastolic rumble best heard at the apex, which disappears as the valvulitis improves...
". In 1910 he made one of the earliest diagnoses of coronary thrombosis
Coronary thrombosis
Coronary thrombosis is a form of thrombosis affecting the coronary circulation. It is associated with stenosis subsequent to clotting. The condition is considered as a type of ischaemic heart disease.It can lead to a myocardial infarction...
, and before his death in 1932, he had documented 144 cases of this condition.
His best known written work is Rheumatic Heart Disease, which was published in 1924. He is also remembered for his work in the management and prevention of childhood heart disease. In 1930 he delivered the Lumleian Lectures
Lumleian Lectures
The Lumleian Lectures are a series of annual lectures run by the Royal College of Physicians of London, started in 1582 and now run by the Lumleian Trust. The name commemorates John Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley, who with Richard Caldwell of the College endowed the lectures, initially confined to...
to the Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
.