Paris : The second person in France to receive a much-hyped new-generation artificial heart has died eight months after receiving the transplant, biomedical firm Carmat said on Tuesday.
The 69-year-old man, who wished to remain anonymous, was terminally ill when he received the experimental heart that was seen as a long-term solution for patients with end-stage heart failure. Carmat, which designed what it calls the world’s most-advanced artificial heart, said the patient was admitted to hospital on Friday with circulatory collapse.
A medical team noted the heart was not functioning correctly and transplanted a new device, however the patient died on Saturday from post-operative complications. Artificial hearts have been in use for many years as a temporary fix for patients with chronic heart problems. However Carmat hopes to provide a longer-term solution to tens of thousands who suffer from heart disease – the world’s leading cause of death – and are unable to receive a transplant.
The device, a self-contained unit implanted in a patient’s chest, is a mix of synthetic materials and animal tissue, and seeks to mimic the form and function of an actual human heart. The artificial heart uses soft biomaterials intended to lessen the risk of blood clots and rejection by the immune system. It is powered by a belt of lithium batteries.
