Artificial Heart Transplant

When it comes to artificial heart transplant options, Banner Health provides patients with the latest in heart care technology and state-of-the-art surgical services and access to leading clinical trials. Learn more about artificial heart transplants and mechanical circulatory support device options.

What is an artificial heart transplant?

An artificial heart is a mechanical device used to replace the lower chamber of the heart and help circulate blood in the body for patients with end-stage heart failure. Some patients receive a total artificial heart (TAH) while waiting for a donor heart, while others may receive it as a long-term solution when a transplant is not possible. 

Types of artificial heart transplants

If your heart failure is not improving despite treatment, there are implantable mechanical circulatory support device options to help keep your heart pumping.

Ventricular assist devices (VADs)

Often referred to as heart pumps, ventricular assist devices replace a single heart chamber—usually the left ventricle—and help move blood through the body. These devices, commonly known as LVADs (left ventricular assist devices), can be used: 

• As a bridge to transplant for patients awaiting a donor heart 
• When a transplant is not an option due to age or medical condition 
• For patients recovering from temporary heart failure 

Total artificial heart (TAH)

When both sides of the heart are failing—a condition called biventricular heart failure—your doctor may recommend replacing the entire heart with a total artificial heart. A TAH can be used while a patient awaits a heart transplant or as a permanent therapy. These devices are often used as a bridge to transplant for those in critical condition. 

Benefits of artificial heart transplants

Artificial heart transplants and mechanical devices offer key advantages:

• They are available immediately—unlike donor hearts, which require a waitlist
• The materials are generally well-tolerated by the body
• They help maintain blood circulation and quality of life for patients with heart failure 

Advanced research and technology at Banner Health

Banner Health stays at the forefront of innovation and technology to ensure heart patients are receiving the latest and highest level of care.

Our program is continuing its research on the latest generation of total artificial heart devices, including BiVACOR and CARMAT. Banner Health prides itself on being one of only seven programs in the U.S. in the CARMAT clinical trial for a new total artificial heart.

Successfully implanting hope

For every patient awaiting a heart transplant, the goal is to extend life and improve comfort while minimizing complications. At Banner Health, we are proud to be among the few programs in the country to successfully implant next-generation total artificial hearts, offering new hope to patients with severe heart conditions.