Cardiac Technology

Essay # 23299

Biology > Biotechnology
Engineering > Bioengineering
Medical and Health > Medical Studies

Cardiac Technology

This paper discusses the field of cardiac technology, especially the areas of heart pumps and pig heart transplants.

1,615 words () | 3 sources | 2002 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the new technology heart pumps, such as Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD), assist the heart permanently instead of temporarily as the traditional pumps were used. The paper describes the use of animal parts for transplants especially the pig heart, which closely resembles the human heart, and the problems of organ rejection. The author believes that successful cardiac technological developments will lead to further developments for other parts of the body.

From the Paper:

"Traditional pumps were meant to be temporary solutions to most heart problems. These small pumps were implanted into the chest cavity of patients with the sole function of assisting the heart's own pumps. They helped to keep the rhythm of the heart's beat, regulating the pumping of blood throughout the body, and helping the heart in times of need. Traditional heart pumps were expected to help the heart recover to the points at which they could be removed and the heart would operate properly on its own. Their other function was to help keep the patient alive until they eventually moved up the waiting list for donor hearts and got a heart transplant. "