Artificial heart. Management and clinical utilization

: The improved results of heart transplantation and the need to support hemodynamically those patients with cardiac failure while waiting for a suitable donor has heralded the development of mechanical ventricular assist pumps and the total artificial heart (TAH) as a bridge to transplantation. There are nowadays several TAH in use. The aim of this paper is to describe the current clinical model of the Utah University (model Jarvik-7) and its present or potential clinical applications and indications for use. The world experience up to August 1988 is reviewed.