The American Heart Association Council on Clinical Cardiology presented its James B. Herrick Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Cardiology to Arthur J. Moss, M.D., of the University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, N.Y., "in recognition of his wide-ranging scientific achievements elevating understanding of critical aspects of coronary disease, thereby positively impacting cardiology patient care."
Moss received the award during the Clinical Cardiology Council's Business and Awards Dinner in Anaheim, held in conjunction with American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2017, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians. Council Chair Randal J. Thomas, M.D., presented the award, a medallion and citation. Moss also delivered the Herrick Lecture.
"In a remarkably productive career spanning nearly six decades, Dr. Moss has made some of the most important advances in cardiac electrophysiology," Thomas said. "His most significant contributions include transformative observations regarding the heart abnormality Long QT Syndrome. In addition, his leadership of clinical trials involving implantable cardiac rhythm-regulating devices has revolutionized our understanding and treatment of heart failure and sudden death."
In 1985, Moss started the International Long QT Syndrome Registry, and his studies defined many of the key electrocardiographic features of Long QT Syndrome, Thomas said. "He established the role of left cardiac sympathetic denervation in therapy for congenital Long QT, and he defined the role of cardiac pacing in this syndrome, which saved many lives."
Thomas said the Rochester cardiologist's work "provided the most comprehensive analysis of the risk of cardiac events among family members with Long QT. He also led a landmark series of implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) studies that helped establish the role of ICD therapy for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death."
"Very few individuals have made such enormous contributions to clinical cardiology as Arthur Moss," Thomas said. "He has led in transforming the care of hundreds of thousands of patients."
