Mechanical failures of the pneumatic Utah-100 and Jarvik total artificial hearts. A comparative study.
Jarvik-5 and Jarvik-7 total artificial hearts (TAHs) and Utah-100 TAHs were fabricated and implanted in calves and sheep. In the Jarvik series, 30.7% had mechanical failures (16.1% catastrophic). In the Utah-100 TAH series, 11.1% had mechanical failures (3.7% catastrophic). Failures were classified as: 1) diaphragm failures; 2) valve-holding ring failures; 3) air-leak failures; and 4) prosthetic valve failures. Marked reduction in mechanical failure for the Utah-100 TAH is attributed to progressive component redesign, material selection, and more stringent quality control criteria.
Dew
P A
PA
Artificial Heart Research Laboratory, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84103-1414.
Pantalos
G M
GM
Holfert
J W
JW
Murray
K D
KD
Olsen
D B
DB
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006354:Heart, Artificial; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012756:Sheep