title: [Total artificial heart].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date the CardioWest™ total artificial heart is the only clinically available implantable biventricular mechanical replacement for irreversible cardiac failure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article presents the indications, contraindications, implantation procedere and postoperative treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  In addition to a overview of the applications of the total artificial heart this article gives a brief presentation of the two patients treated in our department with the CardioWest™.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical course, postoperative rehabilitation, device-related complications and control mechanisms are presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The total artificial heart is a reliable implant for treating critically ill patients with irreversible cardiogenic shock. A bridge to transplantation is feasible with excellent results.
authors: Universitätsklinik für Herzchirurgie, Department Operative Medizin, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich. herwig.antretter@i-med.ac.at.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Antretter
authors: Universitätsklinik für Herzchirurgie, Department Operative Medizin, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Dumfarth
authors: Universitätsklinik für Herzchirurgie, Department Operative Medizin, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Anichstr. 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Österreich.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Höfer
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria; D000075202:Contraindications; D003422:Critical Care / Q000941:ethics; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000941:ethics; D006354:Heart, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000941:ethics; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate
keywords: Biventricular heart failure, irreversible; Heart failure, terminal; Heart transplantation; Mechanical circulatory support; Postoperative care