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Ed Yeates ReportingThe world's first human implant of a revolutionary new artificial heart has given a 67-year old man in Greece a new lease on life. The pump itself, which is suspended in a magnetic field, was developed in Utah and a Salt Lake surgical team helped with the implant.
LDS Hospital's artificial heart team is celebrating, including inventors of the new device.
Pratop Khanwilkar, Co-Inventor, WorldHeart Inc: "I dreamt about this day about 15 years ago."
Dr. James Long, who just returned from Greece, said the first human implant there of this new continuous flowing heart assist pump has succeeded. The patient is doing well.
James Long, M.D., LDS Hospital Artificial Heart Project: "Within the second day, was off the respirator, and as a couple of days ago, was moved out of the intensive care unit."
James Long, M.D.: "It allows there to be absolutely no friction between mechanical parts, so mechanical wear out here is essentially non-existent."
Since pumping is continuous, it's gentler on the blood, producing fewer, if any, clots. Devices can also be implanted in smaller adults. And down the road, for children?
James Long, M.D.: "Can we create this for children? This is it right here. This is a prototype I'm holding in my hand of what it's going to look like."
So in the past 24 years, we've come from a very large, loud pulsating heart to one that hums almost silently. Implant patients who already have conventional older pumps say the devices are doing more than just keeping them alive.
Jack Larson, Implant Patient: "Not to just be on the bed and hardly living, but we're living and doing all the things that we want to do."
The new devices could be implanted in humans in this country a year from now.
