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What Is a Total Artificial Heart Device?

A total artificial heart device is a mechanical circulatory support device that replaces the pumping function of both lower heart chambers. It is used when both ventricles are failing and other support options are not enough or not suitable. The device is implanted in the chest and connected to an external driver that powers the pumping action. It is most commonly used as a temporary bridge while a patient waits for a donor heart.

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What Is a Total Artificial Heart Device?

A total artificial heart device is a mechanical circulatory support device that replaces the pumping function of both lower heart chambers. It is used when both ventricles are failing and other support options are not enough or not suitable. The device is implanted in the chest and connected to an external driver that powers the pumping action. It is most commonly used as a temporary bridge while a patient waits for a donor heart.

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What Is a Total Artificial Heart Device Used For?

A total artificial heart device is used for selected patients with severe end-stage heart failure affecting both ventricles. It can help maintain circulation when the native heart cannot pump enough blood to support the body. The device may be considered for patients awaiting heart transplant when they meet strict criteria. It is not the same as a ventricular assist device, which usually supports one ventricle rather than replacing both.

How a Total Artificial Heart Works

The diseased ventricles are removed and replaced with mechanical pumping chambers. These chambers connect to the atria, pulmonary artery, and aorta. An external driver sends pulses of air or another power source to move blood through the device. Tubes or cables pass through the skin to connect the implanted device to the external system.

How Is a Total Artificial Heart Implanted?

Implantation requires open-heart surgery by a specialized cardiac surgical team. The patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass while the diseased ventricles are removed and the artificial heart is connected. After surgery, the patient is monitored in intensive care and trained on device care if recovery allows. Ongoing care includes anticoagulation, infection prevention, driveline care, and transplant planning.

Risks and Follow-Up

Possible risks include bleeding, infection, stroke, blood clots, device failure, right or left connection problems, organ dysfunction, and complications from anticoagulation. Patients need close monitoring by a heart failure and transplant team. They must manage external equipment, power supplies, alarms, and emergency instructions. Fever, neurologic symptoms, chest pain, shortness of breath, bleeding, or device alarms require urgent attention.

FAQs About Total Artificial Heart Devices

Is a total artificial heart permanent?

It is usually used as a bridge to heart transplant rather than a permanent replacement. The plan depends on the specific device, approval, and patient condition.

How is a total artificial heart different from an LVAD?

An LVAD supports the left ventricle, while a total artificial heart replaces both ventricles and takes over the main pumping function of the heart.

Can a patient go home with a total artificial heart?

Some patients may leave the hospital with a portable driver if they are stable, trained, and eligible. This depends on the device, center, and care plan.

Does a total artificial heart need blood thinners?

Patients usually need anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy to reduce clot risk. The exact plan is managed by the heart team.

References

How an Artificial Heart Works. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/22173-total-artificial-heart. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

SynCardia Temporary Total Artificial Heart: Premarket Approval P030011. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma_template.cfm?id=p030011. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

Total Artificial Heart Update. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181241/. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

The total artificial heart. Journal of Thoracic Disease. https://jtd.amegroups.org/article/view/5756/html. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.

Antithrombotic therapy for patients with total artificial hearts. PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7160618/. Date Accessed June 16, 2026.