Groundbreaking Artificial Heart Implanted At UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School And Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Main Category: Heart Disease
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 25 Jun 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School jointly announce the successful implant of the AbioCor® Total Replacement Heart, the world's first completely self-contained, fully implantable artificial heart, as well as the first internal artificial organ. The surgery was led by Mark Anderson, MD, associate professor of surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and chief of the section of cardiac surgery at both the medical school and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and assisted by Juan Plate, MD, assistant professor of surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and an attending surgeon at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is one of only three centers nationwide approved to perform the surgery and the only one in the New York and Philadelphia areas. Dr. Anderson is one of a handful of physicians nationwide trained to perform this procedure. This is the first time the AbioCor has been implanted in a patient since the completion of clinical trials and approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

"We are honored to be among the few distinguished institutions in the nation to offer this innovative technology to patients who have no other treatment alternatives available to them," said Dr. Anderson. "The implantation marks the culmination of nearly three decades of research and development and the technology has finally reached the point where an artificial heart has become a real option for end-stage heart failure patients. We believe this procedure is a significant step toward offering new hope and a future to patients who may still have more quality time with their family and loved ones."

After extensive training and education, the surgery team, which also included cardiac anesthesiologists, perfusionists and cardiac nurses, conducted the implant on a 76-year-old male patient with congestive heart failure. The patient did not qualify for a heart transplant or other available therapies and was determined to be in severe end-stage heart failure; therefore becoming eligible for this innovative, life-extending procedure.

"The faculty at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School is dedicated to providing the most advanced treatment available today to improve the lives of patients," said Peter S. Amenta, MD, PhD, dean. "The skill of Dr. Anderson and the team, as well as their commitment to advancing cardiac research will ensure that our program is a nationwide leader in effectively treating the most severely ill heart failure patients."

"Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital is honored to be the first in the nation to successfully implant the AbioCor total artificial heart in a patient since its approval by the FDA," said Stephen K. Jones, president and chief executive officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital and Health System. "Not only is it exciting for us to play a pivotal role in this historic process of the device's development, but it is extremely gratifying to be able to provide some hope to the many individuals suffering from end-stage heart failure who do not have any other treatment options available to them."

The AbioCor, developed by Abiomed, Inc., is intended as a permanent heart replacement for end-stage heart failure patients who are not candidates for transplant and cannot be helped by any other available treatment. Candidates for the AbioCor System have severe, biventricular, end-stage heart disease but typically have other vital organs that continue to be functioning well. Generally, they must be younger than 75 years old, require multiple drugs to increase the strength of contractions of their heart muscle to support life, are not treatable by a mechanical device that assists with the pumping action for the lower left chamber of the heart to sustain life for long term therapy , and are not weanable from biventricular support if on such support.

"The beauty of academic medicine is the ability to tell a patient and their family members, that yes we can help, there is a new innovative procedure that we can try," says Dr. Anderson. "The patient's history was unique, which allowed us to receive an exemption from the FDA to extend the age requirement by one year and offer him the greatest chance of survival along with the gift of an improved quality of life with his wife, children and grandchildren."

Made primarily of titanium and blood-safe plastic, the AbioCor is designed so that a patient can remain mobile and continue a productive lifestyle at home. Equipped with an internal motor, the AbioCor is able to move blood through the lungs and to the rest of the body, simulating the rhythm of a heartbeat. The AbioCor consists of an internal thoracic unit, an internal rechargeable battery, an internal miniaturized electronics package and an external battery pack. The hope is that by implanting this unit in patients who would otherwise die of heart failure, these patients may live longer and with a satisfactory quality of life.

The hospital and medical school are requesting that the patient and his family's privacy and confidentiality be respected during this critical recovery period. Inquires in regard to the patient's clinical condition or to questions that would infringe upon the privacy of the patient or his family will not be addressed at this time.

For more information about the AbioCor ® Total Replacement Heart visit: http://www.rwjuh.edu/artificialheart/.

Source
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School