Artificial Hearts: Can They Fully Replace Human Ones?

An artificial heart is a mechanical device that replaces the heart's ventricles. The ventricles are the lower chambers of the heart. It connects to the heart’s two upper chambers, also known as the atria, and major arteries. There are two ventricles: the right one and the left one. When a total artificial heart is used, it replaces both ventricles of the heart and the function of the original heart. A total artificial heart transplant is a treatment option for patients with last-stage biventricular heart failure who need support from the mechanical device while waiting for a heart transplant. Patients suffering from other conditions like congenital heart issues, massive heart attack, arrhythmia, and cardiomyopathy will also need an artificial heart. The artificial heart will take over the pumping of the heart and restore healthy circulation to the body. 

The procedure will begin with the surgeon cutting into the chest to open the breastbone, or the sternum. The surgeon will then use medication to stop the heart, so it remains still during the operation. The heart’s two ventricles will be removed. The artificial heart will then be attached to the atria and connected to the aorta and pulmonary artery. When the artificial heart is secured in its place, the heart-lung bypass machine that was used to help the blood circulation in the procedure will be turned off, and the artificial heart will be turned on. The artificial heart will pump at a steady rhythm when a porter air compressor, or the driver, powers it. The driver pushes air through two tubes, which will connect the artificial heart to the driver. The tubes stick out of the body through the skin in the abdomen, and the driver battery can be charged. The chest won’t be closed right after surgery in case the surgeon needs to check the condition of the artificial heart. 

After the procedure, the patient will go to the intensive care unit for close monitoring. The patient will need a ventilator to breathe and get nutrition through a feeding tube or intravenous line. If there are no signs of infection or other complications during recovery, a surgeon will close up the chest. Most people who receive this treatment are waiting for a heart transplant. An artificial heart is only a temporary solution until the patient receives a transplant. A patient can live with an artificial heart for several months while waiting for a transplant. With today’s advanced medical technology, sixty to eighty percent of those who receive artificial hearts survive long enough to get their transplants. Artificial hearts are revolutionary and allow patients to extend their lifespan while waiting for heart transplants.

by Anna Zheng at Incisionary

APA References

Clinic, C. (2023, September 7). Artificial heart. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/22173-total-artificial-heart