The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 47, 172-178, Copyright © 1989 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Current status of permanent total artificial hearts
PK Davis, G Rosenberg, AJ Snyder and WS Pierce
College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey 17033.
Pneumatic total artificial heats, although demonstrating utility as
temporary mechanical circulatory support devices, have not demonstrated a
great deal of promise as permanent cardiac replacements. The increasing
number of patients who would be candidates for total heart replacement
suggests a large role for a permanent implantable total artificial heart.
To that end, the Pennsylvania State University is developing an electric
motor-driven total artificial heart; the results with implants in calves
are encouraging. In this device, a roller-screw mechanism is used to
translate the rotation of a brushless direct- current motor into
rectilinear motion of a pusher-plate assembly, which in turn empties the
blood sacs. The total artificial heart of the future will function under
automatic control without percutaneous leads, and this should provide the
patient with a nearly normal life- style. Although further experimental
efforts are necessary to prepare the device for clinical trials, the
technology to provide a safe and reliable electric blood-pump system is at
hand.
