The artificial heart: Implantation technique

Gradual improvements in artificial heart design and fabrication, combined with the use of established principles of clinical cardiac surgery, now permit uniform survival of calves following artificial heart implantation. The development of our current operative technique is based on a successful experience with cardiac valve replacement in the calf. Tricuspid valve replacement performed through a right, fifth interspace thoracotomy provides an excellent opportunity to verify anesthetic and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) techniques similar to those required during artificial heart implantation. Once routine survival has been achieved following tricuspid valve replacement, the team is ready to undertake artificial heart implantation. This paper describes our current technique used to implant the pneumatic powered angle port design artificial heart in calves.