Objective:To summarize practical experiences of clinical application of artificial heart and discuss its indications and prevention of complications. Methods: Before operation, all the four patients underwent regular treatment of internal medicine, and after its failure they were implanted with artificial hearts. Operations were performed under general anesthesia and external circulation at low temperature. Left ventricle assistant devices (LVAD) were used for three patients, and double ventricle assistant device (DVAP) for one. Two patients were embeded with Berlin artificial hearts (Melipot company). The other two were implanted with Medos artificial hearts ( Medos company). Results:All the patients had no infection and haemorrhage, while their cardiac functions were restored apparently. Three to five days after operation, patients could take off- bed activities. Two had been taken away their artificial hearts on 52th and 53th postoperative day, and arrhythmia disappeared. Half year follow- up revealed favorable results. One died,on 271st day,of bleeding from congenital cerebrovascular deformity. One died, on 10th postoperative day, of renal dysfunction and DIC. Conclusion: Artificial heart or Ventricle assistant devices (VAD) could be used as temporary substitute for heart transplantation, and used in emergent heart attacks in order to restore cardiac function.
