Artificial heart 25 million to "buy" a few months of life

Technology channels () message: expected only one month of life and not for serious cardiac transplantation, transplantation in patients with heart disease can be a permanent artificial heart.

This kind of grapefruit, titanium and plastic made of artificial heart, may make heart disease more live a few months, but spend approximately $ 25 million.

Previous 14 man implanting this two pounds (0.908 kg) weight of artificial heart, the living less than five months, one of whom lived 17 months, another patient lived 10 months.

This "inorganic bio-pharmaceutical company" (Abiomed Inc.) After 40 years to develop a successful artificial heart, the Ministry of health of the United States food and Drug Administration approved the use of, or is the first approved the use of artificial heart.

Agency officials say they hope that this artificial heart can be improved so that the patient's life further extended.

Its instruments to assess and Research Director Schultz said: "we think this is a significant milestone, and hoped that in future there is a better technology and more affordable technology. ”

He noted that a number of critically ill patients should try this artificial heart of choice, and they decide whether or not it is worthwhile to take the risk and to pay such a high cost.

He added: "for many patients, facing death, giving them the opportunity to get along with family and friends over a period of time, no matter how this time is limited, it is they want choice. ”

An advisory group to the 2005 call for refused food and Drug Administration approved the transfer of such artificial heart. Many members considered that they were not sure patients undergo transplantation, can live for a period of time, the days are getting better, it is worth to take the risk.

However, the food and drug administration officials pointed out that it is expected that each year only 25 to 50 heart failure patients with transplant this artificial heart. They are not suitable for cardiac transplantation, expected only a month of life, and there is no other choice.