Successful Aeson Artificial Heart Transplant

At the Italian clinic Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli (Naples) spent a successful fully artificial heart transplant Aeson from the French manufacturer Carmat. This is the first commercial operation using the new implant.

Such a heart will not replace a biological one, but will give the patient the opportunity to wait for a transplant of a living organ. A person with an implant can lead a "practically normal" life, the main limitation is the need to carry an external module weighing about 4 kg. It contains the liquid necessary for the operation of the artificial heart, and two rechargeable batteries, which will last for 4 hours of battery life. All in all, Aeson will be able to work up to 180 days, significantly increasing the chances of waiting in line for a transplant.

Previously, doctors installed SynCardia artificial hearts with four mechanical valves. Up to this point, it was the only commercially available fully artificial heart. In the development of Carmat, the valves are already biological, thus eliminating the need for anticoaculants. This, in turn, reduces the risk of thrombosis and bleeding. Also, biological valves are much quieter than mechanical ones.

Already, five German clinics have been trained by Carmat and are recruiting patients for artificial heart transplants. According to the manufacturer, by the end of 2021, about ten medical centers in Europe will training and will begin accepting patients for the Aeson installation - most of them will also be in Germany.

Marisa de Feo, Head of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli, expresses hope that in the next few years we will see bionic hearts that can become a full-fledged replacement for a living organ, and not a temporary solution.