First Ever Artificial Heart Fails 76-Year Old Man

Thursday, 10 September 2009

First Ever Artificial Heart Fails 76-Year Old Man

A permanent, artifical "heart" used by doctors to prolong the lives of patients with heart issues
In New Jersey, a 76-year old man died on August 26th after being the first person ever in the state to receive a permanent, artificial heart implant. After only having the "heart" for two months, the man suffered and died from post-operative issues often linked to victims of heart failure.
Although the "heart" performed as expected and to the best of its ability, the Abiocor aritifical heart was no match for the true muscle that it had to replace. The device is intended to be used for patients who wouldn't survive more than 30 days outside of a hospital due to heart problems, and can generally extend life between 18 and 24 months.
This "heart" mimics the true thing by pumping blood through valves just as a true, muscular heart would, but is motor-powered by an internal rechargable battery.
If your life was near the end, and you were able to receive one of these fake hearts - would you? Do you think that doctors are going too far to extend the life of someone who is terminally ill?

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Comments (19)

I'm not sure I would. I think it goes to show how much better the original was designed and how you can't replace it.
- 9/10/2009 11:29 AM
- ccarothers@xanga (message)
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I doubt I would do it. But maybe this is an option for some people, who really want to live? I don't know, I am ambivalent toward this.
- 9/10/2009 11:56 AM
- arenasa@xanga (message)
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To me, it depends on the quality of life I would have after receiving the artificial heart. Would it improve the life I had left or make it worse?
Either way, it's exciting to know that this technology is out there and being tested... Luckily, scientists and doctors don't take failure as defeat, they use what works and rework the rest to make it better. :]
- 9/10/2009 11:59 AM
- ready4health@xanga (message)
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Does it just hold the place till they can find a donor?
- 9/10/2009 12:15 PM
- NightCometh@xanga (message)
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recharge? that doesn't sound...very...appealing.
and he died on my birthday. i now know four people who died on my birthday. great.
- 9/10/2009 12:46 PM
- azashi@xanga (message)
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I would do it for research purposes
- 9/10/2009 1:15 PM
- Pcgecko85@xanga (message)
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@Pcgecko85@xanga - I agree. I would do it so that maybe some information could be gathered to make it even better so one day it might really save someone's life on a long-term basis.
- 9/10/2009 2:03 PM
- sick_of_dreams@xanga (message)
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it's not the doctors who are going too far. if there wasn't such a demand, they wouldn't go to such lengths.
- 9/10/2009 2:27 PM
- MissPixieGlitter@xanga (message)
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It wouldn't be worth it for just 18 more months, I don't think. It'd just be drawing out my misery.
- 9/10/2009 5:40 PM
- Imnotcrazyjustinsane@xanga (message)
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Depends... If I would be stuck in the hospitial after recieving it... No. But I was free to live my life after words... Heck yes! Who wouldnt?
- 9/10/2009 7:01 PM
- ahsolovley@xanga (message)
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Immortality is one of the fruits that humankind have always chased after. Unfortunately only misery lies for those who attempt to find it.
- 9/10/2009 7:04 PM
- shunny@xanga (message)
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I wouldn't do it. 76 yrs old an only offering 18 to 24 extra months? Why suffer like that? I can understand doing it for research, but I, personally, would just prefer to go when I'm supposed to go.
- 9/10/2009 7:23 PM
- TheScaleDiaries@xanga (message)
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Not worth a measly 18-24 months for me. When mine goes, it's gone.
- 9/10/2009 7:24 PM
- Complexitii@xanga (message)
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If i was terminally ill and would last another like 2 months if i was given a fake heart I wouldnt do it
you are prolonging the inevitable. It's pointless to suffer more.
- 9/10/2009 7:27 PM
- ordinary_gir1@xanga (message)
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I believe I would! Why not..that's two extra months he got to spend with his loved ones. Can't take that back!
- 9/10/2009 8:56 PM
- PrinsesAna@xanga (message)
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Considering the fact that it's probably prohibitively expensive. I wouldn't. I expect the demand to go up if universal health care is passed, and if it covers the operation though.
- 9/10/2009 9:41 PM
- jasonwl@xanga (message)
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hrrm.. i dont think i would, i think i'd take it as it is.
- 9/10/2009 10:14 PM
- soberheartss@xanga (message)
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Not if it would only extend my life for a year or two... that's a lot of money and worry and time for your family
- 9/11/2009 12:04 PM
- justXforXyou_beautiful@xanga (message)
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probably!
- 9/17/2009 5:20 PM
- kayla_fersherr@xanga (message)
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