Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Evolution of the Implantation Procedure for Real Heart TAH

Henrik C. Ahn, Azad Najar, Göran Hellers, Jonas Holm, Ina Laura Pieper, Zoltán Szabó and Bart Meyns

The Real Heart TAH (Total Artificial Heart) has shown that artificial valve planes can move silently and effectively inside two pumps, which together comprise a TAH. In this paper we describe the evolution of the surgical procedure for implantation. The first 8 acute implantations of Real heart prototypes were performed with sternotomy using a 60-70 kg porcine model. Due to some limitations observed with this model the technology and the surgical technique have been improved. This paper describes the current implant procedure with the new improved Real heart TAH in a calf model.