Demetre Nicoloff, 69; Surgeon Co-Developed St. Jude Heart Valve

Dr. Demetre Nicoloff, 69, a surgeon who co-developed the St. Jude heart valve and performed nearly 10,000 open-heart operations, died Tuesday at his home in Minneapolis after battling bone marrow disease for several years.

In addition to implanting heart valves and doing open-heart surgery, Nicoloff performed heart transplants, including Minnesota’s first one.

Nicoloff implanted the first St. Jude mechanical heart valve in October 1977. Surgeons have since installed 1.5 million of the artificial valves. The St. Jude heart valve is considered one of the most popular and successful valves in medical history.

Born in Ohio, Nicoloff earned his medical degree from Ohio State University. He completed his residency at the University of Minnesota and received two doctorates. He later taught surgery at the University of Minnesota.