A Case Report of 17 Days Survival with an Implanted Artificial Heart in a Calf

We established a 17 days survival with an implanted total artificial heart in a calf. The blood contact surface was made of aldehyde treated bovine pericardium and the outer surface was reinforced with specially treated natural rubber. The artificial heart used could pump by pneumatical driving system more than 11L/min of water in vitro and around 10L/min of blood in the experimental animal and was able to maintain hemodynamics within normal ranges for 17 days without difficulty. Though to keep hematological and biochemical parameters within normal ranges was relatively difficult, thromboembolism and disseminated coagulopathy characterized by bleeding were not large troubles at all. The main cause of death was breakage of the heart terminated in air embolism in the cerebral arteries.