Evaluation study of calves with total artificial heart (TAH) surviving for 218-293 days of pumping.

Evaluation of five longest surviving calves among a total of 54 longterm survivors, at the Brno Research Centre was performed. These calves were treated by administration of antihypertensives and partially by electrical stimulation of the right atrium to reduce central venous pressure (CVP). Treatment for CVP was effective, as compared with two groups of 5 calves each not treated in this way, and it is assumed to be an important factor for prolongation of survival. Mineralization of driving diaphragms was present in all these calves. No preventive measures of this pathologic change were performed in this group. Another complication is hemolysis, which is partly caused by immune mechanisms initiated by administration of alpha-methyl dopa and partly by mechanical destruction due to a heavily mineralized driving diaphragm. The prevention of mineralization is another important problem for future research. Other problems, concerning the survival of TAH recipients are discussed.