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A groundbreaking medical achievement has seen an Australian man, suffering from severe heart failure, discharged from hospital while relying on an artificial heart. This marks a significant milestone as the man, in his 40s from New South Wales, is reportedly the first patient to be released from hospital with such a device while awaiting a donor heart transplant, which he has since received.
The device, the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, is a continuous-flow system developed through a US-Australian collaboration. Unlike traditional artificial hearts that mimic the natural pulse, this device continuously pumps blood, a feature that raises unique considerations for patients.
“This device is innovative, mainly because it is the first continuous-flow device designed to replace the whole heart,” said Paul Jansz, the surgeon who implanted the device. “Designers are also aiming for it to be the first total artificial heart suitable as a permanent transplant.”
While this development offers hope for those with severe heart failure, it also raises important questions about the long-term impact of artificial hearts on patients’ lives.
According to a bioethicist who completed a Ph.D. on artificial hearts, these devices can profoundly change patients’ experiences. “Patients must trust, tolerate and receive sensory feedback about how the device is working for it to feel like part of them,” the expert explained. “But it may be difficult for artificial hearts to meet these criteria, especially for devices that do not generate a pulse.”
Key considerations include:
- Sense of Self: Patients may struggle with the perception of their heart’s location and function, particularly with continuous-flow devices that lack a pulse.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: External components, such as a controller unit and power supply, require constant monitoring and management, potentially disrupting daily activities with alarms and battery recharges.
- Time Perception: The absence of a natural heart rhythm and the need for periodic device maintenance can alter patients’ sense of time.
“Our hearts may be our natural metronomes, marking time. So removing someone’s heart rhythm can confuse their sense of time,” the bioethicist stated.
The success of the BiVACOR device offers optimism for an alternative to scarce donor hearts. However, it is crucial that patients and their families understand the potential transformative effects of these life-saving devices.
“Artificial hearts are remarkable devices with great promise. But patients and families also deserve to know how these extraordinary treatments might change how they feel about themselves and the world,” the expert concluded.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided and should not be considered medical advice. Individuals with medical concerns should consult with qualified healthcare professionals. The information regarding the bioethicist is based on the provided text, and further verification of their credentials and research may be necessary. The provided information regarding the number of devices implanted is based on the provided data, and may not be completely comprehensive.
