The Clinical Artificial Heart Program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) ended Fiscal Year 2004 in remarkable fashion. In the previous 12 months, the team, under the direction of Dr. Robert L. Kormos, Director of Cardiac Transplantation, experienced unprecedented growth in all aspects of the program.
Between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2004, 34 patients were implanted with cardiac assist devices at UPMC Presbyterian and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, eclipsing the previous record of 28 during FY03. Furthermore, Dr. Kormos and his team were among the first in the United States to surgically implant a novel rotary blood pump, Heartmate II LVAS, and the first to successfully bridge a Heartmate II patient to a heart transplant.
The entire patient population accumulated ~9.5 years of support, of which nearly 60% was spent in a non-hospital setting. In addition, this team is responsible for management of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) patients and has a one of a kind partnership with STAT Med Evac supporting the transportation of critically ill balloon pump or ventricular assist device recipients. At least two bioengineers are on call round the clock tending to the clinical Artificial Heart Program, and STAT Med Evac.
This group of engineers also makes up Vital Engineering, www.vitalengineering.com, an organization that provides service to manufacturers of artificial organ technologies and the end users. Vital Engineering staff members have traveled throughout the world providing clinical and educational support in the mechanical support sector.
The following statistics summarize the achievements of the past year:
Patients implanted with cardiac assist devices
34 patients (28 last year; a 22% increase)
Days of support
3438 days/9.4 years (2,457 last year; a 40% increase)
Number of patients discharged
17 patients (11 last year; a 50% increase)
Outpatient support days
1863 days/5.1 years (1,176 days last year; a 60% increase)
ABP Hours
17,300 hours (12,418 last year; a 40% increase)
STAT Med Evac transports
45 Missions