Artificial heart lasted almost 17 months

UPI ^ | 02/08/03 | UPI

[Fzob]

Artificial heart lasted almost 17 months

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Having lived longer than anyone with an artificial heart, 71-year-old Tom Christerson died when it wore out Friday, the manufacturer announced.

Christerson died at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Ky., when the internal membrane of the device totally contained within his body gave way, ABIOMED, Inc. said in a statement issued on its web site.

The company is conducting a clinical trial of the plastic and titanium pump that was powered through the skin without protruding wires or other connections.

Two other people received the softball sized artificial hearts last month and are still alive. Four other people have died previously either in surgery or shortly after.

Christerson's artificial heart allowed him to see his first great-grandchild and celebrate his 55th wedding anniversary. His wife Speedy and two adult children were with him on his last day.

At the time he received the heart, in September 2001, Christerson was not expected to live an additional month.

"Our entire company is personally touched by Tom's passing," ABIOMED CEO David Lederman said. "Tom Christerson will be remembered as a medical pioneer and hero, but those terms are equally applicable to every member of his family who shared this extraordinary challenge and experience with him."

The Danvers, Mass., company statement said the AbioCor artificial heart is not available for sale and is being used for research under the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration.

"Tom lived with the AbioCor, free of significant adverse events, for 512 days, well beyond any of the longevity expectations of our initial clinical trial," Lederman said. "For a good portion of that time he was at home with his family, free to travel and to engage as he wished in a wide variety of social activities."

The retired car dealer from Central City, Ky., could be seen in file videotape on CNN walking and smiling. "Many of the lessons we have learned from Tom and his family have already been incorporated into measures designed to allow more patient-friendly operation of the system and to support an even higher quality of life," Lederman said.

[Timesink]

Tomorrow's NYTimes Headline: "Artificial Heart Kills Patient"

[LibKill]

Tomorrow's NYTimes Headline: "Artificial Heart Kills Patient"

The day after tommorow's NYT Headline: "MURDERERS! CRIES LAWYER. 15 TRILLION DOLLAR SUIT FILED."

[billorites]

If he'd got it from L.L Bean's, they'd probably send a new one for free.

[SouthernFreebird]

If he'd got it from L.L Bean's, they'd probably send a new one for free.

That'd be alright as long as you didn't have to use it within 30 days :-)

[goldstategop]

Medical technology is making profound advances to improve health and the quality of life. And we can give blessings to the doctors who've managed to allow a man who otherwise might have died in the absence of a heart transplant donor being available to live as long as he did. With continual improvements, the day may come when people can live decades with an artificial heart.

[MonroeDNA]

"the day may come when people can live decades with an artificial heart."

Trust me, it's coming soon. Our's is a lot better than the Abiocor. Although we're a bit away from FDA approval, right now it can last 5 years.

[Bubba_Leroy]

... better, stronger, faster ...

[Physicist]

Not many people can be said actually to have died of a broken heart.

[Physicist]

"Tom lived with the AbioCor, free of significant adverse events, for 512 days, well beyond any of the longevity expectations of our initial clinical trial," Lederman said. "For a good portion of that time he was at home with his family, free to travel and to engage as he wished in a wide variety of social activities."

What an incredible triumph. What a great civilization we are priviliged to enjoy.

[RJCogburn]

What an incredible triumph. What a great civilization we are priviliged to enjoy.

Yes. Exactly.

[balrog666]

Not many people can be said actually to have died of a broken heart.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! :^p

[Fzob]

What a great civilization we are priviliged to enjoy.

Worth repeating

[MonroeDNA]

The best is yet to come.

We're making an artificial heart-pump that will survive 5 years. Wish us well.

[mamelukesabre]

Do these artificial hearts have any sort of ability to vary the flow rates in response to physical exertion?

[MonroeDNA]

The more advanced ones do, but the trouble is, they all break. All of them.

It's nice to be able to vary the flow rate for different things (sleeping, walking, running), but first we must have one that doesn't break. The electronics is way ahead of the mechanics. Blood clots, and components wear out.

Also, too much flow closes the Aortic valve. Not good.

Thanks for asking.

[MonroeDNA]

In a nutshell, you can't have any bearings inside, which either traumatize blood cells, or clot, and lead to failure.

All of the most advanced ones (Jarvik, Medtronic) know this, and are trying to overcome it. Problem is, if you reduce the flow for really sick folks, they tend to clot faster. Can't have blood cells lingering long enough to attack.