Amir Lerman, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at Mayo Clinic and a pioneer in cardiovascular medicine, died on Feb. 23 at age 69.
Dr. Lerman, cardiovascular physician-scientist, joined the Rochester, Minn.-based system in 1987 as a resident and has worked there for nearly 40 years. During his time, he became one of the world’s foremost authorities on microvascular function and cardiovascular disease, according to a March 17 system news release.
His research reshaped the understanding and treatment of vascular injury and ischemic heart disease, and his team developed novel diagnostic testing, imaging and regenerative therapies.
“Unfortunately, he leaves us far too early, when he was still able to contribute novel research ideas and incomparable clinical expertise,” Juan Kaski, MD, editor-in-chief of European Cardiology Review, wrote on behalf of the journal in a March 4 obituary. “However, his legacy will continue for years to come and his ideals will become reality through the work of generations of physicians and scientists that he so brilliantly educated and inspired during his accomplished medical life.”
