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The Heart of the Matter

The Artificial Heart: A New Ending? Since the development of the heart lung machine in the middle of the last century, cardiac surgeons have dreamed of developing an artificial heart to deal with the failing human heart. Those dreams have now reached reality, and the first fully implantable artificial hearts are in use. Previously considered a bridge to heart transplantation, they are now being considered as potentially successful treatments in their own right, a 'destination' therapy. Materials science, fluid dynamics, pump technology, advanced electronics and advanced power supplies have all contributed to this development. This lecture will describe these developments and consider some of the risks of the devices both for the individual and, if successful, for society.

Martin Elliott is Gresham Professor of Physic and Co-Medical Director at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London (GOSH). He led the cardiorespiratory and thoracic transplant teams at GOSH for many years, and established, and is Director of the National Service for Severe Tracheal Disease in Children, the largest such service in the world. (from gresham.ac.uk)

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