The fifth artificial heart implant in the United States and the first in Wisconsin have been conducted earlier this month by a cardiac surgery team led by Alfred Tector, M. D. at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee.

The patient is in a stable condition after receiving his Cardio West temporary total artificial heart (TAH-t) implant; the only USFDA approved temporary Total Artificial Heart.

aurora St. Luke's Medical Center is one of just five hospitals in the United States and thirteen worldwide certified to implant the TAH-t.

According to Dr. Tector, Medical Director of the Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center Transplant Program:

"The TAH-t is a modern version of the Jarvik-7 Artificial Heart of the 1980's. Survival rates have increased dramatically because of major therapeutic advancements to reduce the risk of strokes and internal bleeding."

Dr. Tector had implanted 10 Jarvik-7 Artificial Hearts, the last in 1997.

Source: PR Newswire

Photo Credit: SynCardia Systems, Inc.