Dr. Zerhouni:

For over half a century, scientists and engineers have dreamed of a total artificial heart. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's long-term commitment to this technology has helped to make this dream a reality. It is a shining example of an NIH institute supporting the development of a medical device that has great public impact from basic research through preclinical testing and on to clinical readiness. The total artificial heart will extend and improve the quality of life for patients who have no other treatment option.

This accomplishment also demonstrates the kind of long term interdisciplinary scientific efforts needed to address increasingly complex health challenges that often seem initially insurmountable to many. This could not have happened without the patient and far sighted leadership of NHLBI and NIH over several decades.

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Contact: NHLBI Communications Office
301-496-4236
NIH/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
5-Sep-2006