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NEW GRANT AWARDS-Continued

State University of New York, College of Medicine, Syracuse, for a study of the effect of various nutrients on the rhythm, contractile force and conduction of the perfused mammalian heart, by Jane Sands Robb. July 1, 1952-June 30, 1953_.

Mount Zion Hospital, San Francisco, for the study of the role of potassium in maintenance of blood pressure and peripheral vascular reactivity in normotensive and bypertensive states, by Ray H. Rosenman. July 1, 1952-June 30, 1953---

University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, for study of
factors influencing diastolic filling and systolic emptying of the
ventricular chambers, by Robert F. Rushmer. Jan. 1, 1952-Dec. 31,
1953_

University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison, for the study of
mechanism of pyruvate and a-katoglutarate oxidation in heart
muscle, by D. Rao Sanadi. July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954_.
Ohio State University School of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, for the
study of changes in the ionic composition of the intracellular fluid
in experimental and clinical hypertension, by Leo A. Sapirstein.
July 1, 1952-June 30, 1953___
Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, for experimental
and clinical studies of acute and chronic disorders of the peri-
cardium, by C. Glenn Sawyer. July 1, 1952–June 30, 1953---
Harvard Medical School, Boston, for studies on coronary heart disease,
by Monroe J. Schlesinger. July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954--
Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, for evaluation of the role of the
kidney in the pathogenesis of heart failure, by Jonas H. Sirota.
July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954-----
Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, for the study of factors regulating
renal function and electrolyte metabolism in experimental venous
congestion with edema, by Jeremiah Stamler. July 1, 1952-June
30, 1955.

$5,250.00

4, 200.00

5,250.00

4, 200.00

5,250.00

2, 625.00

4,200.00

3, 150.00

4, 200.00

New England Center Hospital, Boston, for the study of the relation
of the endocrine system to the blood coagulation mechanism and
to the pathogenesis of thromboembolism; possibilities of employ-
ment of fibrinolysin and fibrinolytic substances in the treatment of
thromboembolism, by Mario Stefanini. July 1, 1952-June 30, 1955- 5, 250.00
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, for an
evaluation of the Macacus rhesus monkey as an experimental
animal for the production of atherosclerosis including studies on
cholesterol metabolism using C14 labeled acetate, by C. Bruce Taylor.
July 1, 1952-June 30, 1954__

Harvard Medical School, Boston, for biochemical comparison of hyper-
tensive and normal arteries, with particular_attention to the
electrolyte and intermediary metabolism, by Louis Tobian, Jr.
Apr. 1, 1952-Mar. 31, 1954__
University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, for the pathogenesis
and treatment of experimental renal hypertension, neurogenic
hypertension, and spontaneous hypertension in dogs and monkeys,
by George E. Wakerlin. July 1, 1952-June 30, 1953_
Albany Medical College, Albany, for a physiological quantitation of
the progressive effects following production of mitral stenosis and/or
insufficiency_by means of implanted plastic prostheses, by Harold
C. Wiggers, July 1, 1952-June 30, 1953_--

9, 450.00

4, 200. 00

5, 250.00

5, 250.00

EXECUTIVE STAFF REPORT TO THE ASSEMBLY, 1952-53

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, NEW YORK, N. Y.

HOW NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION USES ITS SHARE OF CONTRIBUTIONS (1952-1953)

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As we enter the fifth year of our existence as a voluntary agency, the signs are all about us that the American Heart Association has now truly come of age. The objectives wisely set in our early, formative years are being achieved on an ever-growing scale.

The public, losing its old fears and apathy about the cardiovascular diseases, has shown itself increasingly willing to join the physician and the medical scientist in the fight against these disorders. We see evidence of this in the continuing growth of our national structure, in the fact that laymen in greater numbers than ever before are serving officially on heart association boards and committees throughout the country.

We can measure the growing public confidence in our program in terms of its steadily increasing financial support for our work. We can reasonably and confidently anticipate a still greater increase in funds in the future. And as funds available to us mount year by year, we are able to move forward to an expansion in our research program and to a significant broadening of our community services.

Our basic policies, tested against experience, have been altered as the need arose to meet changing conditions. Their execution has been facilitated by the establishment of a number of operational committees whose functions are now precisely related to the many different interests and problems within our field. Our growth and maturity as an organization is reflected, too, in a steadily greater participation in panel discussions and in the establishment of policy by the members of our assembly, the democratic governing body to whom this report is addressed.

The accompanying chart shows how the funds of the AHA are being distributed under the direction of the board of directors. They provide a statistical answer to the question of what is done with the 25 percent of the money obtained by the affiliates that goes to the national office.

The chart and the narrative material in this report are not simply an accumulation of data concerning the activities of the different divisions of the national office. They are presented, and they should be considered, as representing in highlight form what the staff does directly or through committees to serve our affiliates. They are a brief interpretation of the efforts made to put flesh and blood upon the policies and decisions laid down by the assembly, the board of directors, and all committees of the association for the benefit of the whole heart association program.

If it is not already clear, it should be plainly stated now and borne constantly in mind that the national office's primary function is to provide service and leadership to the affiliated heart associations. Even in such patently administrative matters of internal routine as bookkeeping and maintaining the central files, our objective is to achieve maximum efficiency at minimum expense, so that the greatest number of dollars may be released for the essential program work of the association, and so that in this routine way as well we may provide a model to affiliates.

It should be emphasized that this is a team report. It is our hope that as the months pass there will be a growing realization that the name, American Heart Association, does not mean a remote office in New York but, rather, the sum total of all heart associations throughout the country whose national office, comprising a well integrated team dedicated to serving the interests and needs of all the affiliates, is simply an extension of every individual heart association office.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

During the past year our directly affiliated associations have increased to 59. More than 965 physicians and 950 laymen serve on the boards of directors of these affiliated heart associations. Three hundred and fifty-six chapters are now officially organized-an increase of 34 during the past 12 months.

Voting membership lists have increased by some 2,500; approximately 7,500 physicians and 7,000 lay people now constitute the voting membership of heart associations throughout the country.

Continuing affiliation is dependent upon the filing of administrative and organization, program, and finance reports. There has been marked improvement in the preparation of these reports. The committee to review and coordinate activities of affiliates has met twice to study these reports and make recommendations to the board of directors. Letters have been written to all affiliates by the president of the American Heart Association highlighting the recommendations of the committee.

A simplified accounting system was prepared and has been helpful in many areas. The ultimate goal is a more uniform method of keeping financial records so that reports may be comparable and easily prepared. Particular stress is being placed upon the necessity of preparing reports on a local basis, a State basis, and a national basis, accounting for all funds received and showing how such moneys were expended.

The office was moved September 1952 to 44 East 23d Street resulting in greater space at no increase in rent. All personnel are now on one floor which lends itself to more economical and efficient operation.

MEDICAL

RESEARCH PROGRAM

The sum of $757,577.74 was allocated to the research committee from the 1952 campaign fund for use during the fiscal year, 1952-53. During the year, a total of 170 new applications, 71 for fellowships or investigatorships and 99 for grants

in-aid, were processed by the medical division. Six new established investigatorships, 9 renewal fellowships, 21 new fellowships, and 45 new grants-in-aid were approved. In addition, 1 career investigator, 14 established investigators, and 25 grants-in-aid were administered on a continuing basis. Because of lack of funds, 14 of the 45 approved grants-in-aid, representing requests for a total of $62,212.50, could not be supported.

A comprehensive review of the research program of the association, covering the 5-year period since the start of the program, is now being made. The support of research by affiliates and local heart associations, insofar as information has been provided to the national office, has been compiled.

ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS

For the first time, abstracts of papers submitted for presentation at the sessions have been processed by the medical division prior to their submission to the members of the program committee. More than 150 such abstracts were received.

In addition to the 6 regular scientific sessions, a special session on electrocardiography and vectorcardiography has been arranged to provide for the exceptional interest shown in these disciplines. The sessions this year are also unique in the number of panel discussions arranged. There will be 5 of these, including the clinical pathological conference.

PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS

The three professional periodicals of the association-Circulation, Circulation Research, and Modern Concepts of Cardiovascular Disease-have enjoyed wide distribution and critical approval.

The initial subscription list for Circulation Research has exceeded the fondest expectations of the publications committee. At the present time there are more than 1,700 subscribers, more than 1,000 of whom subscribe also to Circulation. The sale of advertising space in both journals has also been most gratifying.

Modern Concepts of Cardiovascular Disease has continued to enjoy tremendous interest and is now distributed regularly to more than 39,000 physicians each month. The statement on prevention of rheumatic fever (January 1953 issue) has had a distribution of more than 100,000 copies to date.

The division is working cooperatively with the New York Heart Association in preparing for the distribution of the Nomenclature and Criteria for the Diagnosis of Disease of the Heart, a publication of the New York Heart Association which is to appear soon in a completely revised and expanded edition.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

The committee on professional education, under the chairmanship of J. Scott Butterworth, M. D., is engaged in the formulation of a general plan which can be developed over a period of years. Meanwhile, it has been possible to engage in a variety of activities which are of immediate benefit.

The sale of latex rubber heart models, first made available last year, continues briskly. Arrangements have been completed for painting individual models or sets of models with fluorescent paints upon request. A considerable list of orders is being filed as rapidly as models are painted.

Utilizing the heart models and the flurodemonstrator developed in his laboratory, Dr. Butterworth has planned professional exhibits for the annual meetings of the American Heart Association, the American College of Physicians, and the American Medical Association. The Association of American Medical Colleges has asked that heart models and fluorodemonstrators be made available on loan for demonstration on a preview circuit through the medical colleges of the United States and Canada during the fall. The fluorodemonstrators will then be available by purchase.

There have been conversations with representatives of the New Hampshire Heart Association relative to a pilot postgraduate teaching program in cardiology for general practitioners.

OTHER COMMITTEES OF THE SCIENTIFIC COUNCIL

Through the committee on international affairs, the American Heart Association was represented by leading cardiologists at the Fourth Inter-American Cardiological Congress in Buenos Aires in September 1952. (In cooperation, with the National Heart Institute and with representatives of the Armed Forces,

the staff is assisting the chairman of the committee on international affairs in planning for the forthcoming Second International Cardiological Congress which will be held in Washington, D. C., in September 1954 and continued in other medical centers in the United States.)

Interest in developing and maintaining high standards for cardiovascular clinics has increased greatly in communities all over the country. A step in strengthening local responsibilities was taken in December by transferring to the affiliated heart associations the authority for certifying cardiovascular clinics through their own committees on clincs. The committee on clincs will continue to set standards designed to provide optimum clinic care and will give specific advice to clinic committees on request.

The medical division has assisted the committee on ballistocardiography and the committee on cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography in preparing reports which will appear in circulation and be available thereafter as reprints. An ad hoc committee on heart disease in pregnacy has supplied up-to-date and concise material for the preparation of a pamphlet which fills a long recognized need in our health-education literature.

Through the advisory committee of the registry on cardiovascular pathology, the American Heart Association continues to cooperate with the Registry of Cardiovascular Pathology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D. C.

The subspecialty board on cardiovascular disease continues to examine candidates for certification as cardiologists by the American Board of Internal Medicine and to assist the American Medical Association by certifying hospitals for residence training.

COUNCIL ON RHEUMATIC FEVER AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Major emphasis in the work of the council during the past year was placed on the prophylactic aspects in the care of rheumatic-fever patients. Two statements on preventive measures, one on the protection of hospitalized patients, the other for those cared for at home, were published in the official periodicals of the association. The statement on prevention of rheumatic fever was also published almost simultaneously in nine other professional journals, both here and in England. This statement, containing diagnostic criteria for streptococcal infections of the throat and guidance for immediate and long-term prophylactic procedures for rheumatic individuals, in intended to be the focus for an intensive community program on prevention.

The chief statistician of the association has continued to provide technical and statistical assistance and guidance to the cooperative rheumatic fever study. During the past year, the study has been in the process of evaluating the results of treatment with ACTH, cortisone, or aspirin in about 750 carefully studied cases of acute rheumatic fever. This evaluation will not only clarify relative merits of the three drugs in the treatment of acute rheumatic fever, but promises also to yield valuable data on the natural history of the acute phase of the disease.

Finally, the division assisted in the development of various professional and lay pamphlets for which the council took responsibility. Among these, the following might be mentioned: The Diagnosis of Congenital Defects of the Heart in General Practice, Heart Disease in Pregnancy, Heart Disease in Childhood. Of this latter pamphlet, 77,000 copies have been purchased.

SECTION ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE RESEARCH

The medical division has assumed responsibility for the staff work of the section on high blood pressure research. The proceedings of the annual meeting, council on high blood pressure research, 1952 have been edited and published by the staff and are now available from the office of the association at cost.

SECTION ON CIRCULATION

The activities of the section on circulation center upon the annual scientific sessions and the annual dinner of the section.

SECTION ON CLINICAL CARDIOLOGY

Officers and standing committees of the section on clinical cardiology have been appointed on an interim basis and the first business meeting of this new section is to be held during the week of the annual scientific sessions.

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