Experimental Study of the "Korean Artificial Heart" in Calf

송아지를 이용한 한국형 인공심장의 동물실험에 관한 보고

We experienced a series of animal experimental studies of the total artificial heart in 1988. So called, "Korean Heart* was used in this study, which is developed and fabricated in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Med., S.N.U.. "Korean Heart" is a Rolling-Cylinder Motor-Driven type which is a newly developed electromechanical heart over the shortcomes of the previous artificial hearts, especially pneumatic type. The advantages of the "Korean Heart" are total implantability, quiet and smooth movement, small size fittable in oriental people, etc. The animal experiments were performed two times, as an assist device in sheep and total artificial heart implant experiment in calf weighing 100 kg. After total implantation, the artificial heart was well functioned in movement and hemodynamic control. So that, the calf was recovered excellently, which was able to stand up by herself and take an oral intake. Total survival time was 100 hours and the cause of death was a sudden pumping failure [electrical connection problem]. Several postoperative laboratory results almost within normal limits and no hemolysis, but in autopsy, the multiple thromboembolic findings were seen at the lung and kidney.n at the lung and kidney.