Teenager Gets First Permanent Artificial Heart
A fifteen-year old boy in Italy needed a new heart, but was ineligible for a human heart transplant. So doctors put in a new type of artificial heart that they expect will keep him alive for 20-25 years:
Link via Gizmodo | Photo by Flickr user Peter Burgin used under Creative Commons license
Dr Amodeo said the artificial heart was around 4cm long and had been placed inside the left ventricle and its connection with the ascending aorta.
He said: "The device is an electrically activated hydraulic pump and is entirely located inside the thorax, in order to reduce the risk of infection.
"It is powered through a plug positioned behind the left ear and connected to the battery that the patient holds on a belt and is charged during the night like a mobile phone.
Link via Gizmodo | Photo by Flickr user Peter Burgin used under Creative Commons license
We hope you like this article!
Please help us grow by sharing:
Get Updates In Your Inbox
Free weekly emails, plus get access
to subscriber-only prizes.
We won't share your email. You can cancel at any time.