What is an artificial heart?
An artificial heart is a mechanical pump that supports the heart by pumping blood into the large vessel circulation (ventricular assist device). The patient's heart remains in the body and the artificial heart is inserted into the left ventricle. From there, the blood is pumped into the systemic circulation via a rotor. The pump is operated by electricity. A cable is led out of the patient's abdomen, to which a small control unit and two batteries are connected.

Why do I need an artificial heart?
Cardiac support systems are an alternative to a heart transplant. In order to be considered for an organ transplant, a patient must fulfill certain criteria. The extent of the disease, the age of the patient and some other information about the patient and the clinical picture play a role. If not all criteria are met, the patient cannot be included on the transplant list. In such cases, the artificial heart is a good alternative. Furthermore, the implantation of an artificial heart is a method of bridging the time until the transplantation of patients with heart disease.

What are the advantages of artificial heart therapy?
The artificial heart pumps more blood into the body and relieves the diseased heart. This increases the blood flow to the vital organs, which leads to a significant increase in performance. Clinical symptoms such as shortness of breath, pulmonary oedema and water retention in the legs can thus be reduced. This is of course associated with an improved quality of life and a longer life expectancy.

What are the disadvantages of artificial heart therapy?
Artificial heart therapy requires the patient's cooperation. Reliable intake of medication and careful hygiene are of particular importance. Otherwise, infections, bleeding or strokes can occur. Of course, therapy with an artificial heart is associated with certain lifestyle changes due to the battery. However, most patients cope very well with these changes.

How do I wear an artificial heart?
There are different types of devices, which weigh around 2.5 kg depending on the type of device. There are several ways to wear an artificial heart. Some patients prefer a shoulder bag, while others use a belt bag or rucksack - there are virtually no limits to individual innovation.

What is life with an artificial heart like?
The artificial heart improves the patient's performance. This enables many patients to participate fully in everyday life again. Some patients return to work. Sports activities are also possible with an artificial heart.

Does an artificial heart patient have to take medication?
Therapy with an artificial heart requires the use of blood thinners (e.g. Marcumar, ASA and/or clopidogrel). This reduces the risk of thromboses and strokes. Other medications depend on the patient's individual health status.

What are the common risks of artificial heart therapy?
As the artificial heart is foreign to the body, there is a risk of infections similar to those that can occur with joint prostheses, for example. There is also an increased risk of infection at the exit point of the driveline in the lower abdomen. There is also a constant risk of thrombosis in artificial heart patients. However, by changing the surgical method and regularly taking blood thinners to prevent thrombosis, the risk factors are minimized. Researchers are also working on improving artificial hearts and therapy methods with regard to the risks.

How am I restricted by an artificial heart?
As the artificial heart must not come into contact with water, patients affected cannot go swimming, for example. However, there are special shower bags for the device so that artificial heart patients can go showering without risk.

How long does the operation take?
The operation takes place under general anesthesia and is performed by a cardiac surgeon. The duration of the surgical procedure is approx. 3-5 hours, depending on the type of device and the patient's initial situation. The patient is then admitted to the intensive care unit where they are monitored until the end of the anesthetic.

Minimally invasive implantation techniques:
Due to the increasing miniaturization of the latest generation of pumps, more gentle surgical techniques have now been developed that allow artificial hearts to be implanted in a minimally invasive manner. This is associated with numerous advantages: smaller, gentler surgical accesses, less pain, less blood loss, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays and better survival overall.

How long do I have to stay in hospital?
After the operation, patients are first monitored in the intensive care unit and then transferred back to the normal ward. You should plan to stay in hospital for around four weeks in total. After discharge from hospital, the patient will undergo approximately three weeks of rehabilitation treatment.

What does aftercare look like with an artificial heart?
After discharge from hospital, the patient is regularly monitored by a specialized artificial heart outpatient clinic, a team of artificial heart coordinators and the treating physicians (cardiologists, cardiac surgeons). Initially, monthly check-ups should be carried out, the intervals between which are extended to increase the safety of the therapy. For emergencies, patients are given a telephone number where they can call at any time.

How long does an artificial heart last?
The most common artificial hearts are magnetically mounted and therefore show no signs of wear. There are now patients who have been fitted with an artificial heart for more than 5 years. However, complications can occur that are associated with an infection of the cable exit site and may even necessitate a pump change.
Depending on the treatment strategy, the artificial heart is used until a heart transplant or for life. In some cases, the heart muscle may recover and the artificial heart can be removed again.

How long do the batteries last?
Two batteries are connected to the artificial heart. One battery lasts four to five hours, depending on the activity, and must then be replaced. The batteries are changed by simply plugging them in. The empty batteries are recharged via a charging station. Each patient receives a total of four batteries. At night, the artificial heart can be powered via a socket. This eliminates the need to change batteries over a longer period of time.

The future of artificial heart therapy:
Many more advances in artificial heart therapy can be expected in the future. The miniaturization process of pumps and accessories will certainly continue, i.e. the pumps will not only become smaller but also technically more sophisticated. Research is also working on making artificial hearts completely implantable, so that the cable exit point can be dispensed with and energy can be transmitted completely through the skin.