About the UPMC Artificial Heart Program
From implanting the Jarvik Artificial Heart in 1985 to today's advanced circulatory support devices, the UPMC Artificial Heart Program continually sets the standard in technological innovation and clinical excellence.
Continuing Innovation
Our clinicians are always working to develop new ventricular assist device (VAD) designs and improve existing designs, and we've applied this research to improving both patient survival and quality of life after implantation.
Our program has even served as the national training center for medical centers implementing certain VAD programs. To date, approximately 60 centers throughout the United States have sent teams of specialists to Pittsburgh for training exercises led by Artificial Heart Program clinical staff.
Technological Access
Researchers and clinicians in the Artificial Heart Program partner with the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, a world-renowned organization that develops therapies to re-establish function in tissues and organs impaired by disease, trauma, or congenital abnormalities. This partnership gives our surgeons access to the latest in VAD designs.
We're also studying new devices that can be implanted through arteries and veins without major surgery.
Our Work
Over the years, we've developed effective ways of working with VADs and the people who need them.
We've refined our techniques and protocols to function with the utmost efficiency, and our comprehensive approach has produced an objectively impressive measure of success.
Our doctors, engineers, and researchers work with other members of the care team to:
- Manage acute cardiogenic shock
- Improve VAD assessment standards for patient candidacy
- Refine criteria for appropriate VAD selection
- Manage patients after VAD implantation
- Identify cardiac recovery
- Develop weaning protocols for mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices
- Educate and manage VAD patients in outpatient settings
- Assess new VAD technologies