Eckhard U. Alt (born 9 November 1949 in Pforzheim) is a German scientist and physician known for his contributions in cardiology and research.[1]
After attending the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and University in Rhode Island, Alt completed his Staatsexamen as valedictorian in 1974. He completed his specialization in internal medicine, intensive care medicine and cardiology at the Klinikum Rechts der Isar of the Technische Universität München after which he habilitated in 1984.
Alt is Professor of Medicine, Adjunct Professor for Biomedical Engineering and Director for Cardiovascular Research at Tulane University in New Orleans[2] as well as the Todd and Linda Broin chair and Distinguished Professor of Sanford Health in South Dakota.[3] He was also Professor of Medicine at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center of University of Texas in Houston[4] and a member of the medical faculty at the Technische Universität in München. Alt is also the co-founder of the European Cardiac Arrhythmia Society and was President of the International Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology Society for 8 years.
Procedures for therapies have been developed in Alt's research labs in Houston, New Orleans and Munich. He has inventions in the fields of therapy, electrophysiology as well as interventional cardiology and holds over 650 patents[5] in key technologies that are used in pacemakers today. Eckhard Alt has authored numerous scientific publications[6] and is a member of the editorial and review board of medical and scientific journals.
A number of companies have been founded by Alt. InFlow Dynamics, a medical technology company, developed and distributed heart catheters for interventional cardiology and was eventually acquired by Boston Scientific.[7] His research at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston resulted in the founding of the medical technology company InGeneron where he currently serves as chairman of the board.[8] InGeneron offers products for the extraction of adult regenerative cells for autologous use in humans and animals. He is also founder and chairman of the supervisory board at ISAR Klinikum[9] in Munich.
Alt participates in charitable organizations and projects. In addition to various foundations that he started for the promotion of scientific research and education, he supports projects in developing countries. The Dodoma Medical Center[10] in Dodoma, Tanzania as well as the Mamma Clementina girls school in Moshi are two institutions supported by him.