A second patient has been granted the privilege of trying out an artificial heart, according to a report by Reuters. The heart was fitted by Carmat, a French biotechnology company, which also confirmed that they will be doing more clinical trials to two moe patients.
The operation was performed last August 5 in Nantes, which is at the western part of France, according to a representative from the French health ministry. No details were given regrding the patient.
The artificial heart is very similar to a rea heart, and is composed of biological materials and sensors. It copies the functions of the heart and is designed as a permanent implant. The heart can significantly extend the life of some patients, without having to wait for someone to donate a heart. It was also intended to lessen the side effects that come along with heart transplants.
This is Carmat's second attempt to fit an artificial heart into a patient. For the first trial, the patients involved in the project were individuals who had terminal heart failure. This is a state wherein the heart does not have the capacity to pump enough blood to sustain the body.
Groundbreaking as it is, yet Arnaud Guerin, a biotech stock analyst at brokerage firm Portzamparc said that investors and doctors are definitely expected to look out for the indicators of Carmat's artificial heart's success. Following the French media reports about the artificial heart was a delightful and drastic increase in Carmat's shares, which shot up to around 19%.
The artificial heart weighs 900g (more or less 2lb). This weight is three times heavier than the average human heart. Heart muscle contractionsare mimicked, and contains sensors that respond to blood flow and patients's movements. The heart is powered by wearable external lithium-in batteries. The proposed price for the heart is around 140,000 euros. In dollars, that is roughly $ 181,000 to 233,000.