Artificial heart can aid those on transplant waiting lists

A type of temporary artificial heart to help near-death patients live long enough to receive a heart transplant has won the cautious backing of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration. The artificial heart is a complex and risky device that requires cutting out the bottom half of the human heart to implant. Side effects can include infection, bleeding and stroke. Patients implanted with the device are tethered to a washing machine-sized power generator until they can receive a donor heart. Still, the device "will fill a very important niche" for a small number of patients who have run out of other options, said Thomas Ferguson, professor emeritus of surgery at the School of Medicine.

•	Artificial heart can aid those on transplant waiting lists USA Today.com, Thursday, March 18, 2004

•	Panel backs artificial heart use CBSnews.com, Thursday, March 18, 2004

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Washington University in St. Louis	School of Medicine
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