Artificial heart assists are cutting edge devices that undertake the blood pumping function of the heart for the patients with end-stage heart failure.These systems were first developed in Turkey in 2001 through the special approval of Prof. M. Debakey, M.D., from Baylor College of Medicine (U.S.A., Houston), support of Prof. G. Noon, M.D. and scientific attempts of Prof. Süha Küçükaksu, M.D. and they were successfully used in Ankara on 11.04.2001 by Prof. Erol Şener, M.D., and Prof. Oğuz Taşdemir, M.D. The preliminary practices were carried out to make the patients survive until heart transplant is performed (bridge to transplantation) (First Turkish experience with the MicroMed DeBakey VAD®.DS Kucukaksu, E Sener, A, GP Noon, O Tasdemir
Texas Heart Institute Journal 30 (2), 114.2003)
There are two types of the device depending on the condition and stage of the disease.
- Artificial Heart Assist Devices = Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)
- Total Artificial Heart (TAH)
These devices are high-tech products that can be used for long years. Today, the most frequently used Artifical Heart Systems are Left Ventricular Assistive Devices that are ever increasingly used for patients with end-stage heart failure.