Vladimir P. Demikhov was a pioneering Soviet scientist whose groundbreaking experiments in the mid-20th century forever changed the landscape of transplantation science. Born in 1916 in Russia, Demikhov displayed a remarkable aptitude for medical research from a young age. His insatiable curiosity led him to explore innovative techniques in the field, with a particular focus on organ transplantation.
Although macabre, Demikhov's experiments were not devoid of purpose. His primary goal was to advance transplantation, ultimately to save lives. As early as 1937, he designed the first mechanical cardiac-assist device, a significant breakthrough in cardiac surgery. While initially too large for canine use, it paved the way for experiments where circulation was maintained in animals without their hearts, keeping blood flow for up to 5 hours.
"Demikhov's legacy remains complex... his methods raised profound ethical questions about the boundaries of science."
Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, Demikhov's groundbreaking experiments were largely conducted in isolation. The 1954 canine head transplantation was performed no less than 23 times, with varying degrees of success. It was the 24th time, in 1959 that made international headlines, when Life Magazine featured Demikhov’s experiments in articles and photos
The two heads could eat and drink separately, with accounts from that era even mentioning the larger dog attempting to shake off the grafted creature, with the smaller head retaliating by biting back.
While Demikhov's work gained global recognition, it also faced intense scrutiny from the Soviet Health Ministry for ethical reasons. Despite directives to halt his experiments, Demikhov persisted. However, the issue of tissue rejection limited the success of these operations, with the longest survival lasting just 29 days among the 23 attempts. Stalinist propaganda touted these experiments as a testament to Soviet scientific prowess.
Demikhov's legacy remains complex. While his intentions were undoubtedly altruistic, his methods raised profound ethical questions about the boundaries of science. Nonetheless, he is credited with developing intricate surgical techniques that paved the way for the first human heart transplant.
"Eight years after his own attempt at the two-headed dog experiment.... Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant."
Christian Barnard first learned about Vladimir Demikhov in 1959. According to one academic source, after learning from colleagues about a newspaper report of Demikhov's macabre transplants, he stormed out of the dining room of the Groot Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, shouting ‘Anything those Russians can do, we can do, too.’ That same afternoon, the belligerent and talented surgeon transplanted the head of a dog onto a recipient dog, which survived for several days. In the aftermath of the bold procedure, animal rights groups were incensed. Medical students at the facility even built a papier-mâché two-headed dog for their RAG (raising and giving) parade. Barnard and his colleagues reported the results of their experiments in a paper that was published in Johannesburg in 1960.
Eight years after his own two-headed dog experiment, on the 3rd December 1967, at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Christian Barnard performed the first successful human heart transplant.
Later, in December 1996, almost 35 years after this surgical first, Christiaan Barnard participated in the Third Russian Congress of Cardiovascular Surgery and began his address with: "If not for the basement of the Sklifosovsky Institute I would never have been be able to do that. Vladimir Demikhov is the founder of transplantology…"
It wasn't until April 1989 that the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation belatedly recognized Professor Demikhov of the Soviet Union. They privileged him with the first Pioneer Award for his leadership role in the development of intrathoracic transplantation and the use of artificial hearts.
Though long obscured, Demikhov's controversial work may have paved the way for a historic medical achievement. He also went on to inspire an unlikely fellow innovator hailing from Austin, Texas – Roky Erickson, pioneer of garage and psychedelic rock. In the 1960s, Erickson and his band, the 13th Floor Elevators, were riding high on the wave of psychedelic music, with their iconic single 'You're Gonna Miss Me' as their calling card. However, Erickson's '60s journey took a dark turn.
"Erickson was discovered with a single joint in his possession. To evade imprisonment, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, leading to his confinement at the Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane."
The authorities placed his band under intense scrutiny due to their well-publicized affinity for psychedelic drugs. In a fateful encounter, Erickson was discovered with a single joint in his possession. To evade imprisonment, he pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, leading to his confinement at the Rusk State Hospital for the criminally insane. There, he underwent 'treatment' including electroconvulsive therapy and Thorazine, known to cause sedation, movement disorders, and a "zombie-like" state in patients. This was documented by Filmmaker Keven McAlester in his 2005 documentary about Erickson, You're Gonna Miss Me.
After his institutionalisation, Erickson released his 1981 cult classic album, 'The Evil One,' a collection deeply rooted in science fiction and old horror B-movies. The 'Two Headed Dog (Red Temple Prayer),' featured a chorus with Erickson howling, 'Two headed dog! Two-headed dog, I've been working in the Kremlin with a two-headed dog!' over guitars imbued with rigid punkness and surgical precision.
In 2014, Dave Grohl's Foo Fighters paid tribute to Erickson by covering the cult track at Austin City Limits 'Celebrates 40 Years' event.
In 2015, Italian Neurosurgeon Sergio Canavero, who likens himself to Peter Parker and Victor Frankenstein, controversially claimed that a successful human head transplant is imminent. While he claimed to have found a willing participant for transplant in his TED Talk, bioethicists have condemned the practice. He has since shifted gears (or rather heads), leaving the former procedure on the chopping block. Canavero's focus is now the first human brain transplant. The article, called “Whole brain transplantation in man: Technically feasible” was published in Surgical Neurology International (SNI), a peer-reviewed journal where Canavero serves as an editor.
