News Releases
ABIOCOR HEART IMPLANTED AT JEWISH HOSPITAL
BY UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE SURGEONS
(LOUISVILLE) – University of
Louisville surgeons Laman Gray, M.D., and Rob Dowling, M.D., today
confirmed the implantation of an AbioCor™ Implantable Replacement
Heart at Jewish Hospital on January 7, 2003. The procedure lasted
about six hours and the patient is currently in critical but stable
condition. At the request of the patient’s family, the patient’s
name and other details are not being released.
Jewish Hospital officials and the physicians
who performed the procedure will not be available for further comment
at this time. Updates will be provided as significant changes in
the patient’s condition occur and at the family’s request.
The experimental procedure is the result of some 20
years of product research and development by ABIOMED, Inc., of Danvers,
Mass. Jewish Hospital and University of Louisville surgeons Gray
and Dowling began working with the company about four years ago.
During the years leading up to the human implants, the device was
validated in FDA approved animal trials. A team of nurses, perfusionists,
physician assistants, anesthesiologists and other support staff
also worked in the development of the device to learn how to care
for patients.
Robert Tools, the world’s first AbioCor patient,
underwent surgery at Jewish Hospital July 2, 2001. He survived for
151 days. Tom Christerson became the second patient in the world
to receive AbioCor heart in a September 13, 2001, surgery at Jewish
Hospital. He returned home April 16, 2002, and 16 months following
surgery continues to enjoy a good quality of life at his home. A
third Jewish Hospital patient died shortly after surgery in April
2002.
Patients who are eligible to receive an AbioCor device
have a high probability of dying within 30 days without the device.
They are not candidates for other treatments, such as a heart transplants.
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