Clinical Indications for the Use of the "Poisk–IOM" Total Artificial Heart: The Experience of 13 Implantations in Humans

Success of total artificial heart (TAH) implantation as a temporary measure depends on three factors: proper patient selection, adequate surgical technique, and safe cardiac prostheses. From 1986 until March 1990, 237 patients with stagnant heart failure were examined. Sixty-one patients (27%) were put on a waiting list. Thirty-eight percent of them died awaiting transplantation. Thirteen TAH implantations were performed; nine patients who were not on a waiting list underwent TAH implantation by urgent indications. Four other patients underwent bridge TAH implantation after cardiac surgery. Our experience shows that the status of a patient before transplantation is a determinant factor and that it is possible to perform TAH implantation only in patients on a waiting list.