The continuous flow total artificial heart in clinical practice

Abstract

My minireview describes an inventive medical device for the replacement of pulsatile circulation by pulseless circulation for patients awaiting heart transplantation. The Continuous flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) is a device consisting of two continuous ventricular assist devices that produce pulseless flow into both systemic and pulmonary circulation. Its utilization is not yet widespread. The Continuous flow total artificial heart has only been implanted in humans three times as an off-label use of a ventricular assist device. All three men have been supported by chronic pulseless flow. The issue of chronic pulseless vs. chronic pulsatile blood flow and its effects on organs and tissue perfusion has been debated in medical and biomedical scientific journals for decades. There are many animal studies, views of many scientists and many hypotheses, but no clear answer to the basic question: will a person be able live a quality life with pulseless flow for months and years?