Dr. Harold Dodge, Heart Pioneer

One key way to determine how well the heart is working is measuring exactly how much blood it pumps with each beat. Physicians worldwide use the test to assess heart patients' status and prognosis.

The "ejection fraction" test was just one of the clinical tools developed from research by Dr. Harold Dodge, longtime professor of cardiology at the University of Washington. He was a pioneer at harnessing computers to imaging technology in order to better understand how the heart functions.

Dr. Dodge, former co-chairman of the UW department of cardiology, died Feb. 26 at age 74 of complications of Parkinson's disease. Private family services have been held, but a public memorial service will be from 4 to 5 p.m. March 27 at Denny Park Lutheran Church, 766 John St., Seattle.

In addition to his heart-volume measurements, Dr. Dodge's research developed ways to assess the effects of clot-busting drugs that stop heart attacks, how well the heart muscle recovers from a heart attack and the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. His creativity with computer technology was unsurpassed, his former colleagues say.

"He could smell out an idea pretty well," said Dr. Greg Brown, who worked on many projects with Dr. Dodge. "He had this instinct for what would work and what wouldn't."

A quiet, unassuming man, Dr. Dodge was the classic mentor to his students. He stimulated ideas and steered young scientists toward research that could make a difference in people's lives. And he was exceptionally pleased when they got the spotlight for their accomplishments, Brown said.

Dr. Dodge was cited by the American Heart Association "for his brilliant calculations that helped fathom the mystifying geometry of the living heart." He received the association's Research Achievement Award in 1985, its Herrick Award for distinguished teaching, research and clinical contributions in 1987, and the Hungarian Institute of Cardiology Gottsegen Memorial Medal in 1987.

"His research accomplishments have significantly impacted clinical diagnosis and enhanced patient care throughout the world," the American Heart Association said.

In his honor, the UW School of Medicine is establishing the Harold T. Dodge-John L. Locke Jr. Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine. Locke was a UW medical-school benefactor who suffered from heart disease.

Born in Seattle, Dr. Dodge attended the UW and received his medical degree from Harvard University.

He also served on the faculties of Duke University and the University of Alabama, and retired from the UW in 1991.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Zeta, of Shoreline; son H. Tracy Dodge (and wife Linda) of Bothell; daughter LaVonne Dolly Helt (and husband Mark), of Lynden, Whatcom County; brothers William of Alameda, Calif., and James of Yakima; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Washington Affiliate Inc., 4414 Woodland Park Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103.