Klaus Rentrop MD, PhD

Dr. K. Peter Rentrop has global recognition due to groundbreaking contributions to the understanding and treatment of coronary artery disease. His work changed the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and added to the understanding of collateral flow in the heart (see: “Rentrop Coronary Collateral Classification“). He holds patents for his contributions to the development of a laser catheter, widely used in the treatment of blockages in the coronary arteries as well as the arteries of the leg. He has contributed to the development of Nuclear Cardiology from its inception and is a Founding Member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.

Prior to Dr. Rentrop’s work in 1978, the treatment of AMI was restricted to the alleviation of pain and control of fatal heart rhythm disturbances. The era of salvaging heart muscle jeopardized by lack of blood flow began in 1978 when Dr. Rentrop first reopened occluded coronary arteries mechanically using guidewires and special catheters, and in 1979, when he demonstrated that infusion of streptokinase directly into the occluded coronary arteries of patients with AMI dissolved the obstructing blood clot. Modern reperfusion therapy, which is based on these reports, has reduced the likelihood of dying from a heart attack from approximately 15% to 5%.