title: First permanent implant of the Jarvik 2000 Heart.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heart failure is a major public-health concern. Quality and duration of life on maximum medical therapy are poor. The availability of donor hearts is severely limited, therefore an alternative approach is necessary. We have explored the use of a new type of left-ventricular assist device intended as a long-term solution to end-stage heart failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a prospective clinical trial, we implanted the first permanent Jarvik 2000 Heart--an intraventricular device with an innovative power delivery system--into a 61-year-old man (New York Heart Association functional class IV) with dilated cardiomyopathy. We assessed the effect of this left-ventricular assist device on both native heart function and the symptoms and systemic characteristics of heart failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Jarvik 2000 Heart sustained the patient's circulation, and was practical and user-friendly. After 6 weeks, exercise tolerance, myocardial function, and end-organ function improved. Symptoms of heart failure have resolved, and continuous decreased pulse-pressure perfusion has had no adverse effects in the short term. There has been no significant haemolysis and no device-related complications. The skull-mounted pedestal is unobtrusive and has healed well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The initial success of this procedure raises the possibility of a new treatment for end-stage heart failure. In the longer term, its role will be determined by mechanical reliability.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, UK. swestaby@AHF.org.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Westaby
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Banning
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jarvik
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Frazier
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pigott
authors.forename: X Y
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Catarino
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Robson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freeland
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Poole-Wilson
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D002306:Cardiac Volume / Q000502:physiology; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004867:Equipment Design; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011674:Pulse; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology