Orthotopic cardiac prosthesis for two-staged cardiac replacement

Abstract Clinical experience with cardiac transplantation has evidenced the feasibility of cardiac replacement in man but has made apparent the need for a mechanical device that will provide circulation and sustain life in emergency conditions while a suitable allograft is obtained. The cardiac prosthesis used in a 47 year old man consisted of two reciprocating pumps constructed entirely of synthetic materials and activated pneumatically in the orthotopic position by a control console connected by tubes passed through the patient's chest wall. The device supported the patient's circulation for 64 hours while a donor for cardiac transplantation was obtained. Death of the recipient from Pseudomonas pneumonia occurred 32 hours after the allografting. The first successful prolonged use of a total mechanical substitute for the human heart is recorded.