A fifth man has received a self-contained artificial heart, but he is having problems with his lungs, surgeons at Hahnemann University Hospital in
A fifth man has received a self-contained artificial heart, but he is having problems with his lungs, surgeons at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, said. The medical team said details about the patient would be released later. Surgeons have said previously that patients considered for the implant must be critically ill with fewer than 30 days to live.
"The operation went well and the artificial heart is performing flawlessly," Dr. Louis Samuels, director of the cardiac transplant team at MCP Hahnemann University, said in a statement. "However, despite restored strong circulatory support from the AbioCor, the patient is experiencing pulmonary distress requiring external oxygenation support. We are working to resolve that problem, so that he can begin his rehabilitation," the surgeon said.
