Biography of Dr. Jesús Alanís Ramírez
Dr. Jesús Alanís Ramírez was born on January 29, 1923, in Tepehuanes, Durango, Mexico, the fourth child of Abdón Alanís Soto and María de Jesús Ramírez. He embarked on his medical journey at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) where his passion for scientific research was ignited in the physiology and pharmacology laboratory, established by Dr. Ignacio Chávez at the National Institute of Cardiology. Under the guidance of Dr. Arturo Rosenblueth, a pioneer in cybernetics from Harvard, Alanís developed a profound interest in scientific inquiry.
His academic pursuits were furthered through scholarships from Squibb Laboratories, enabling him to enhance his skills at John Hopkins University, Baltimore, in Philadelphia and the University of Cambridge, England. Despite the challenge of mastering English within six months, he succeeded with assistance from Mrs. Rosenblueth. Returning to Mexico, Alanís led the Department of Physiology at the National Institute of Cardiology, focusing on the electrophysiological properties of mammalian heart cells.
In 1958, he discovered unique electrical potentials in the myocardial conduction system's His bundle, a finding that initially went unnoticed in Mexico but was later validated internationally. This discovery, among others, laid foundational research for the development of the pacemaker.
Throughout his career, Alanís published 62 papers in prestigious journals, contributed to numerous scientific encyclopedias, and was honored with several awards, including the “Elías Sourasky” award in 1967 and recognition from the Mexican Society of Cardiology in 1969. Despite facing political challenges that led to his resignation from the National Institute of Cardiology, he continued his research in Morelos, Mexico, until retiring due to health issues. Dr. Alanís passed away on August 26, 2011, leaving a lasting impact on cardiovascular medicine.
Discovery of the H Potential
In 1959, Dr. Alanís uncovered an electrical potential in the hearts of dogs and cats, naming it the "bundle of His" after the German histologist Wilhelm His Jr. This potential, critical for atrioventricular delay, ensures the synchronized functioning of the heart's atria and ventricles, maintaining effective circulation and constant blood pressure. Intrigued by the delay in electrical impulse propagation, Alanís employed specialized electrodes to explore the region between the atrium and ventricle, discovering the H potential. His subsequent research on the His bundle and its network contributed to understanding cardiac electrical connectivity and its implications for heart functionality.
Decades later, the His potential's significance was recognized internationally, aiding in the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias and conduction blocks through catheterization, a testament to the enduring relevance of Dr. Alanís's discovery to modern cardiology.
