Julio Palmaz

Julio Palmaz is a Brazilian-born physician and engineer who revolutionized cardiac treatment with the development of the Palmaz stent in the late 1980s. This tiny, mesh-like device is inserted into clogged coronary arteries during angioplasty to keep them open, restoring blood flow and reducing heart attack risk. His invention significantly improved the success of minimally invasive heart procedures and has saved countless lives worldwide. Palmaz’s work combined medical knowledge and engineering innovation, transforming cardiovascular intervention and advancing the field of interventional cardiology.