J. Thomas Bigger, Jr., MD, died on Oct. 8, 2017. Bigger moved to New York and started his career in 1967 at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons/New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he was actively involved in teaching, research, and clinical practices. He remained at the hospital until his retirement in 2015.
Bigger served as chief of cardiology and director of the arrhythmia service. His groundbreaking work in the study of cardiac arrhythmias contributed tremendously to the field. He was the principal investigator in the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) and the CABG Patch Trial, which assessed the utility of AICDs in patients with depressed ventricular function undergoing coronary bypass surgery.
More recently, Bigger was the principal investigator of the ACCORD Trial, which looked to determine whether "tight" control of blood glucose would improve macrovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes.
During his distinguished career, Bigger published more than 500 research papers, book chapters, and reviews. He received numerous awards during his tenure, including the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Heart Rhythm Society and the American College of Cardiology.
He will be remembered for his 50-year career as an outstanding scientist, compassionate clinician, trusted mentor and teacher for numerous resident doctors and junior faculty members.
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