mechanical heart
Quick Summary
A mechanical heart, also known as an artificial heart, is a device designed to maintain blood circulation and oxygenation in the human body. There are two primary types: the heart-lung machine and the mechanical heart itself.1
The heart-lung machine temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs during open-heart surgery, diverting blood, removing carbon dioxide, and adding oxygen before returning it to the body.1
Mechanical hearts, including total artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices (VADs), can replace or assist the heart's pumping action for extended periods. These are typically used when other medical treatments have failed, for recovery after cardiac arrest or surgery, or as a bridge to heart transplantation. Some VAD recipients have lived for years, returning to normal activities. The first successful use of a mechanical heart in a human was in 1966.1
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