Obituary: Professor Kenneth MacDonald
18 February 2026
Obituary:
Professor Kenneth MacDonald “Ken” Taylor MB ChB MD FRCS FRCSE FESC FETCS FSA
British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiac Surgery, Imperial College London
Died peacefully on 1 February 2026
Professor Kenneth MacDonald “Ken” Taylor, one of Britain’s most distinguished cardiac surgeons, pioneering academic, and internationally respected authority on cardiopulmonary bypass, died peacefully on 1 February 2026. He was British Heart Foundation Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Imperial College, University of London, and Clinical Director of Cardiac Services at Hammersmith Hospital, where he played a central role in shaping modern cardiac surgery in the United Kingdom and beyond.
Professor Taylor devoted his life to advancing the science and practice of cardiac surgery, combining exceptional clinical skill with an unwavering commitment to research, teaching, and leadership. His career spanned decades of remarkable achievement, during which he helped transform cardiac surgical practice and improve outcomes for countless patients worldwide.
Born in Scotland in 1947, Professor Taylor studied medicine at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 1970. He trained in general surgery at the Western Infirmary in Glasgow under the renowned surgeon Sir Andrew Kay, before embarking on specialist training in cardiothoracic surgery at the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, in 1974. His exceptional ability and promise were recognised early, and in 1979 he was appointed Consultant and Senior Lecturer in Cardiac Surgery. Just four years later, in 1983, he was invited to London to take up the prestigious British Heart Foundation Chair of Cardiac Surgery initially at the Royal Post Graduate Medical School and then due to reorganisation the Chair was under the aegis of Imperial College London, a role in which he would make an enduring impact.
Professor Taylor’s research focused particularly on the pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary bypass and the use of the heart–lung machine during open-heart surgery. His work deepened understanding of the biological effects of extracorporeal circulation and contributed significantly to safer and more effective surgical techniques. A prolific scholar, he authored more than 300 scientific papers and over 100 book chapters, reflecting both the breadth and depth of his expertise. He also served as Editor Emeritus of the international journal Perfusion and contributed to the editorial boards of several leading journals, helping guide the direction of cardiac surgical research worldwide.
His leadership extended well beyond his own institution. Professor Taylor served on numerous Royal College and Department of Health committees and played a central role in advancing national and international cardiac surgery standards. He was Director of the UK Heart Valve Registry and later Chairman of the European Cardiothoracic Surgery Registry, as well as Co-Chair of the International Cardiac Surgery Database Committee. He also served as a Trustee and Council member of the British Heart Foundation, reflecting his lifelong commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and research.
Professor Taylor’s international standing was reflected in numerous honours and recognitions. He was an Honorary Member of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, and the UK Society of Perfusionists, among others. In 1998, he was named Honoured Guest of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, and he was recognised as an Honorary Alumnus of the cardiothoracic surgical department at the Cleveland Clinic. He was also invited as Visiting Professor to many of the world’s leading universities and medical schools, where he inspired colleagues and trainees alike.
At Imperial College and Hammersmith Hospital, Professor Taylor was not only a pioneering surgeon and academic leader but also a deeply respected mentor. He trained and influenced generations of cardiac surgeons, perfusionists, and researchers, many of whom have gone on to become leaders in their own right. His clarity of thought, intellectual rigour, and unwavering dedication to excellence set the highest standards for those around him.
Colleagues remember him as a man of integrity, humility, and quiet authority. He was known for his thoughtful judgment, generosity with his knowledge, and steadfast commitment to improving patient care through science and innovation. His influence extended across continents, institutions, and disciplines, leaving a profound and lasting legacy.
Professor Ken Taylor’s death marks the passing of one of the great figures in modern cardiac surgery. His contributions have saved lives, advanced scientific understanding, and shaped the practice of cardiac surgery for generations to come. He will be remembered with deep respect, gratitude, and admiration by his colleagues, students, friends, and the wider international medical community.
His legacy lives on in the countless patients whose lives were improved by his work, and in the many clinicians and scientists he inspired throughout his remarkable career.
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