In Memoriam: Wolfgang Kiowski, MD (1949-2012) - Pioneer in clinical endothelin research

Wolfgang Kiowski, M.D. (1949-2012) was a German physician-scientist who made exemplary contributions to clinical research in human physiology, heart failure, arterial hypertension, and endothelin science. His academic career took him from Heinz Losse, M.D. at the University of Munster. Germany, to the University of Michigan. U.S.A., to work with Stevo Julius. M.D. In 1979, Kiowski was recruited to the University of Basel in Switzerland and ultimately moved to the Hospital of the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Twenty years ago, Kiowski published a landmark study pioneering the use of endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) in patients (Lancet 1995; 346: 732-736), which introduced a new therapeutic principle to human medicine. During his career, he published numerous studies in the area of pathophysiology, clinical pharmacology (particularly calcium channel blockers, ERAs, and PDE5 inhibitors), heart failure, cardiac transplantation, coronary artery disease, and many case reports from his clinical work. Kiowski was an active mentor and trained many young physicians and physician-scientists. He died unexpectedly in Zurich during the planning stages of the Thirteenth International Conference on Endothelin to be held in Tokyo in 2013. This article summarizes Kiowski's achievements, his role as a mentor and as the human being he was. He will be remembered as a role model of an outstanding, curious clinician who was highly successful as a physician, scientist, and teacher, and at the same time managed to enjoy many hobbies and life with his family. Referring to Wolfgang Kiowski, the article closes with a "It can be done!" -message to young physician-scientists by Dr. Stevo Julius. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc.