Diethrich then pursued specialized training in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he collaborated with renowned surgeon Michael DeBakey on the development of human heart transplantation.
In 1997, Diethrich co-founded ENDOLOGIX, a company based on the stent graft research and patents of Myles Douglas, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon on the Arizona Heart Institute staff.
[7] Later in life, Diethrich was diagnosed with glioma, a lethal form of brain tumor, attributed to his frequent exposure to radiation during medical procedures.
Frustrated with low attendance despite the team’s success and wishing to devote more time to medical research, Diethrich sold the Blitz and purchased the Arizona Wranglers.
In recognition of his profound impact on the field and his dedication to training future generations, his trainees established the Edward B. Diethrich Vascular Surgical Society in his honor.