The Total Artificial Heart as a Bridge to Transplantation

Abstract

In 1985, at the University of Arizona, Tucson, two attempts were made to "bridge" patients from impending death to heart transplantation, using orthotopically positioned total artificial hearts. The first attempt, using an unapproved device on an emergency basis, failed after transplantation because of severe pulmonary edema andPseudomonaspneumonia and the apparent transmission of aPseudomonasinfection from donor to recipient. The second experience, using a Jarvik-7 device, led to stable support for nine days with one major complication, a reversible neurologic deficit with no associated computed tomographic scan abnormality. This patient survived cardiac transplantation and, after being successfully treated for complications, has made a full recovery and returned to full-time work. (JAMA1986;256:2991-2995)