FEBRUARY 1973

The American Journal of CARDIOLOGY VOLUME 31

NUMBER 2

SYMPOSIUM ON THE MYOCARDIAL CELL

ERNEST PAGE MD and ARNOLD M KATZ MD FACC Guest Editors

Introduction

This Symposium on the Myocardial Cell honors the memory of Hans H. Hecht, who was Professor of Medicine and Physiology at the Uni- versity of Chicago until his death in August 1971. The Symposium is written by his colleagues m the Cardiology Section of the Department of Medicine, a section he organized and led. It is dedicated to one of the three interests that dominated his professional life: the further- ance of basic research into the phenomena that underhe the normal and abnormal functionmg of heart muscle. His other two principal interests, clnucal cardiovascular research and the teaching of medical students, are memorialized m many sigmficant publications and in the grateful recollection of a generation of medical students and young physicians.

HANS H HECHT, MD. 1913-1971 Drawing counesy 0‘ Modern Msdlclne

The contributors to this Symposium owe to Hans Hecht m large measure the opportunity to do the experimental work described m these pages If the work is good, he would have been pleased, and he deserves part of the credit for it, if it is bad, then part of the reason must be that his critical voice is no longer here to guide us. During his lifetime that voice was always ready to support his principles: above all, professional and scientific excellence and, after that, a chance for mtelhgent young men and women to advance their careers without excessive interference from the preconceptions of their elders In pur- suit of these principles Hans Hecht fought many battles with little re- gard for the cost to himself. With the same Jaunty courage he dis- played m pricking the pretensions of the pompous or the uncritical, he would throw himself behind an idea or an mdividual that he be- lieved in. Throughout his life he preserved a delightful sense of humor.

For all these things we remember him with affection and dedicate this Symposium to him.

ERNEST PAGE, MD Chlcago, llllnols

ARNOLD M KATZ, MD, FACC New York, New York

From the Cardiology Section, Department of Medicme, the Unlverslty of Chlcago, Chicago, Ill and the Dlvlslon of Cardiology. The Mount SInal School of Medlclne of the Ctty University of New York

February 1973 The American Journal of CARDIOLOGY Volume 31 171