New Artificial Heart Unveiled

New Artificial Heart Unveiled

By Neomi Heroux

The #1 killer in the world is heart disease, claiming 17 million lives per year. The American Heart Association reports that 2,196 heart transplants were performed in the U.S. in 2006, but the number of patients needing transplants far exceeds the number of donors. A prototype of a new artificial heart, unveiled in Paris on October 27, based on technology of satellites and airplanes could give real hope to those awaiting a transplant.

A renowned French heart surgeon, Dr. Alain Carpentier, has been working on the project for the past fifteen years. This heart is different from past versions in that it is covered with a specially treated tissue to prevent the body’s immune system from rejecting the organ, and to prevent the formation of blood clots. The heart is made from natural polymers and pig tissue, materials which have already been used to replace valves in human hearts. This has made some doctors optimistic that an artificial organ made of the same materials could save patients from a lifetime of anti-rejection drugs. This heart has sensors which automatically adjust blood flow depending on the needs of the patient, something other artificial hearts could not do without exterior adjustments.

The heart has been tested only on animals at this point, as approval was needed to test the device on humans. It will initially be tested only on patients who have no other options for treatment. If the outcome of these tests is successful, trials will be extended to others with a better recovery outlook.

Artificial hearts have already been produced in America, and Japanese and South Korean scientists are working on their own versions. The French version is made by a subsidiary of Airbus, the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., or EADS. “It’s the same principle in the airplane as in the body,” said Patrick Coulombier, chief operating officer of Carmat, the manufacturer. Coulombier said the same tiny sensors that measure air pressure and altitude in an airplane or satellite are also in the artificial heart, detecting things like the heart’s pumping speed and the pressure on its walls. Researchers believe that the device could lead to saving millions of lives.

Abiomed produces the most advanced U.S. artificial heart. The company was aware of the French project, but said that it was ahead in the race. A spokesperson for Abiomed said that “Our artificial heart has already been implanted in patients and is FDA approved.” On average Abiomed’s heart has extended patients' lives by about five months.

Dr. Douglas Zipes, past president of the American College of Cardiology and professor of cardiology at Indiana University said “This could be a bases-loaded home run if it works.” Zipes was not connected to the research or development of the heart.

Artificial hearts have been used to buy time until a donor heart is available, but there is the possibility that the French heart might work in the long term. Only additional testing will tell how effective the heart will be in humans already suffering from serious health problems and experts warn that past attempts to replace the human heart have failed.

The heart is expected to cost about $192,140, the Abiomed heart sells for up to $250,000. A cardiologist in Sweden said that he doubted a new artificial heart would alleviate the shortage in donors, since it was very expensive and still would require major surgery.