ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the artificial heart; both total replacement as well as assist devices. It discusses the measurements that must be made when doing this type of research. Implantable pressure transducer applications in artificial organ research are particularly relevant to the artificial heart. The Department of Artificial Organs at the Cleveland Clinic Research Division is conducting research on artificial kidneys, lungs, liver, and heart. The chapter considers some of the actual artificial heart applications that are presently being planned or envisioned. The total artificial heart will be a very viable alternative to transplantation when it is determined how to make the artificial heart work for long periods of time. Control features of an artificial heart are related to the Frank-Starling relationship for the natural heart. The pressures being measured are the right and left atrial pressures, the aortic pressure, and the pressures in the air side of the artificial heart.
