AbioCor Artificial Heart: Bringing Heart Implants to the Next Generation

By: Jacqueline Ray

In 2001,  a group of doctors were able to implant the first artificial heart in a patient who suffered from heart failure.  This heart is different from any artificial heart in the past because it can run without being plugged in to a power source.  Therefore, the AbioCor Artificial Heart will no longer leave its user bed-ridden.                            

The heart is designed to sustain the circulatory system of patients with terminal heart failure.  This heart is only for patients who can not be helped by surgery or medical therapy.  According to the FDA and ABIOMED patients must "have end-stage heart failure; have a life-expectancy of less than 30 days; are not eligible heart transplant; and have no other viable treatment options."  Therefore, the AbioCor Artificial Heart, is not a life-saving treatment.

The artificial heart is composed of several components.  The first component is a thoracic unit, which is the pump.  This is made up of artificial ventricles that contain a motor-driven artificial pumping system that uses pressure to move blood from side to side.  The blood is then circulated throughout the body.  There is also a rechargeable battery that should be charged continuously, but it can be unplugged up to 20 minutes at a time.  Finally, there is an electronics package that controls the pump speed, which is implanted into the abdomen of the patient.  

Biomedical engineers face huge challenges with the future of this device.  The first issue is that it is not sustainable.  While it does elongate the patients life-expectancy, the Abiocor Artificial Heart is not a permanent solution.  Therefore, it can not replace real heart transplants at this time, but biomedical engineers are working towards a solution.  

They also face a challenge in the lack of available heart transplants.  Many people who qualify for heart transplants are simply unable to receive them in time.   Biomedical engineers face a challenge to develop artificial hearts that are able to function as efficiently as heart transplants.

Finally, the AbioCor Artificial Heart is immensely expensive.  The cost of the heart alone is $75,000-$100,000, and the surgery costs around $350,000.  These costs can be a burden on families as their loved ones go through the last brief stage of their life. In a practical and utilitarian sense, the surgery is simply not worth it.

The  AbioCor Artificial Heart is a huge stride for heart transplants, but there is a long way to go before it can be considered a permanent solution.