Artificial Hearts: Understanding the Need & Applications

Reasons for needing an artificial heart:

- End-stage heart failure: When the heart is too weak to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, an artificial heart may be necessary to keep the person alive. Heart failure can be caused by various conditions, including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and congenital heart defects.

- Bridge to heart transplantation: An artificial heart can serve as a temporary measure until a suitable heart becomes available for transplantation. It can help keep the person alive and bridge the gap between the time when their natural heart fails and a transplant is performed.

- Destination therapy: In some cases, an artificial heart may be the final treatment option for people who are not candidates for heart transplantation or who have already received a transplant that failed. Destination therapy aims to provide long-term cardiac support and improve the patient's quality of life.