Doctors in Germany have successfully implanted the world's smallest artificial heart pump, billed as more effective and unobtrusive than earlier devices, a hospital said Monday.
The first recipient, a 50-year-old woman, received the 92-gramme (three-ounce) pump made of plastic and titanium in late July and is now leading a nearly normal life with it at home, the University Hospital of Heidelberg said in a statement.
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Triple bypass surgery, an open heart surgery involves grafting blood vessels from either the chest or leg onto 3 blocked blood vessels.
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"It can fully replace the function of the heart's left ventricle and works particularly quietly and effectively," said the director of the cardiac surgey division of the hospital, Matthias Karck.
The device can also help patients bridge the time until a heart donor can be found for a transplant.
The pump is the fifth generation of the so-called DeBakey Heart developed by the late US cardiac surgeon Michael DeBakey in the 1990s.
It can be worn adjacent the ailing heart and allows for external electronic monitoring and adjustment.
Source: AFP
SRM
The pump is the fifth generation of the so-called DeBakey Heart developed by the late US cardiac surgeon Michael DeBakey in the 1990s.
It can be worn adjacent the ailing heart and allows for external electronic monitoring and adjustment.
Source: AFP
SRM
Quiz on Healthy Heart
Heart disease is a major killer worldwide in spite of major strides in the medical field in terms of research, diagnosis, treatment and pharmacology. HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer's disease are vying for popular attention these days and people tend to sideline or neglect healthy heart awareness. Take our quiz and refresh your awareness on heart disease.
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Animation of heart attack symptoms - Animation
Heart attack can cause symptoms such as Chest pain or discomfort, Shortness of breath and pain in neck, back, arm, or shoulder and is due to blockage of blood supply to the heart muscles
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