Animal study of phoenix total artificial heart implantation.
BACKGROUND
It is well accepted that a total artificial heart (TAH) can be used as a bridge to heart transplantation during the waiting period for organ donation. A series of combined studies, conducted by the Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming Medical College and Municipal Tainan Hospital, has been performed to improve the Phoenix artificial heart developed by Dr. Kevin Kuo-Tsai Cheng.


METHODS
In growing calves (weighed about 80 kg), standard procedures were used to remove the hearts and replace them with the TAHs. Records were made of hemodynamic data, physiological responses, blood biochemistry data and physical activities after operation and until the death of the calves. Finally, autopsies were used to determine the causes of death.


RESULTS
A total of 23 calves were studied. Twenty-two of them survived 1 to 12 days, or an average 4.95 days. One survived more than 30 days. All the calves could breathe, stand, eat and void by themselves two hours after operation. Respiratory failure was the major cause of death.


CONCLUSIONS
No thrombus within the TAH was noted in the last five cases, meaning that turbulent flow or dead space of the TAH was improved. Better intensive care and prevention of infection will be the next challenge for long-term use of TAH.
Cheng
K K
KK
Department of Surgery, Veterans General Hospital-Kaohsiung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Cheng
B C
BC
Liu
K
K
Kuo
S M
SM
Tung
C S
CS
Cheng
K T
KT
Chiang
J C
JC
Lee
L S
LS
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D006354:Heart, Artificial; D006439:Hemodynamics