Bionic Heart

Verna, now 78, has a failing heart, for a last attempt, doctors decided to implant an experimental, battery-powered mechanical heart pump known as a Left Ventricular Assist Device, or LVAD, into a cavity in her abdomen to assist her heart in pumping.

The device, called HeartMate II and made by Thoratec Corp, was approved by U.S. health regulators in 2008 for the purpose of keeping patients alive while they waited for a heart transplant. But in January, it was approved for permanent use in patients who are ineligible for a transplant.

To stay alive, patients must be connected to a lead called a drive-line that runs from the LVAD out through the skin and to a power source.At night, the LVAD is directly connected into a wall socket. By day patients are powered by rechargeable batteries, weighing six or seven pounds. While powered by battery, patients can go about much of their daily lives. But being plugged into the wall at night and having fears of the device running out of battery is stressful, but then again, you are alive. 

However you look at it, LVADs are improving the quality of life for hundreds of patients, including Dick Cheney, the former vice president of the United States and a multiple heart attack survivor. But without a beating heart, would that change how you see a person?

Source: www.msnbc.msn.com