The idea dates back to the 1940s when researchers tried to develop a device that would replace ailing hearts. After years of animal studies, the first human artificial heart recipient survived for nearly three days. That was in 1969.
Now, more than 4 decades after that, 79% of patients enrolled in a SynCardia program lived long enough to receive a heart transplant. In 2004, the FDA approved SynCardia as “bridge” device that would enable heart transplant. Since then, there are about 900 patients who were implanted with the man-made hearts.
The Total Artificial Heart costs about $125,000. It beats 125 times per minute. It has a pneumatic design that allows an increase in blood flow during exertion. As blood comes in, it displaces the air causing a polyurethane diaphragm to partially fill before the fluid is ejected. With these statistical data, the artificial heart beats 180,000 times per day and pumps as much as 13,680 liters of blood. A patient needs to visit the hospital at least once every two months for servicing and maintenance.
Four hundred thousand people are dying of heart disease each year. More than 3,000 are waiting for a heart transplant. SynCardia continues its efforts to produce smaller but longer-lasting power supplies. The ultimate goal at SynCardia now is to develop an FDA approved apparatus that replaces the heart permanently.
At present, the longest surviving SynCardia recipient is a man in Italy who had the organ for three years now. According to reports, he rides his bike around town carrying with him the power supply for his heart.