Fully-functioning artificial hearts are now a reality. How did we get here? What are the real risks, to individual and society? http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-artificial-heart-a-new-ending

Since the development of the heart lung machine in the middle of the last century, cardiac surgeons have dreamed of developing an artificial heart to deal with the failing human heart. Those dreams have now reached reality, and the first fully implantable artificial hearts are in use. Previously considered a bridge to heart transplantation, they are now being considered as potentially successful treatments in their own right, a 'destination' therapy. Materials science, fluid dynamics, pump technology, advanced electronics and advanced power supplies have all contributed to this development.

This lecture will describe these developments and consider some of the risks of the devices both for the individual and, if successful, for society.

The transcript and downloadable versions of the lecture are available from the Gresham College website: http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/the-artificial-heart-a-new-ending

Gresham College has been giving free public lectures since 1597. This tradition continues today with all of our five or so public lectures a week being made available for free download from our website. There are currently over 1,900 lectures free to access or download from the website.
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