Woman, 74, to become Japan's first recipient of artificial heart

Thursday 27th November, 07:28 AM JST

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12 Comments

electric2004 at 12:52 PM JST - 27th November

So probably her life-span will be prolonged by one, if lucky 2 years. Artifical hearts are known for their long time negative effects on the red cells in the blood stream. And having a cable coming out of your body is on the other hand an entrance port for infections. There is a reason, why such artificial hearts are used only for a limited time in other countries. If used for too long, the side-effects becoming more and more severe.

I think "medical reason" in the text is a wrong translation. Basically a group of doctors and government officials wrote a rule, which contained this 60 year limit. Probably the scientific background of this rule is bogus.
Cortasaurus at 01:29 PM JST - 27th November

I think the reason Japan doesn't give organs to patients over 60 is because of their age. They want to use their good organs to save younger people, rather than people who lived their lives (not saying 60 is old at all). Again I think this is the reason. They would rather give their limited organs to a suffering 12 year old, rather than a close-to-dying (closer than 12) 60 year old.
romulus3 at 02:18 PM JST - 27th November

Now she gets to ride the train with all the idiots who use their keitais on or around the elderly persons seat and refuse to move for her. They should have inserted a taser in her right index finger too. ZAP! my seat.
Zuleyka at 10:46 PM JST - 27th November

Notginger: I'm a nurse and if you are wondering why people of these age especially elderly can't recieve heart transplant it is because the system or organs inside the body of an elderly for instance are already deteriorating.heart surgery is quite hard for elderly patients as they might experience cardiac decompensation during surgery and not only the heart that is bieng affected,the lungs too which is connected to the heart might experience pulmonary edema after surgery.Not to mention the SEPSIS that is a threat after surgery which elderly people will have a difficulty because of suppressed immune system.Moreover,heart transplant is not 100% because there are cases that tissues inside are not compatible with the tissues of the donor and body might reject it! might be the cause of death! thats all...
romulus3 at 12:25 AM JST - 28th November

I'm a nurse

so how about the effects of keitai use on a train in the special seating area? would that rumble the old birds take on life?
BurakuminDes at 12:31 AM JST - 28th November

Cortasaurus at 01:29 PM JST - 27th November

I think the reason Japan doesn't give organs to patients over 60 is because of their age. They want to use their good organs to save younger people, rather than people who lived their lives (not saying 60 is old at all). Again I think this is the reason. They would rather give their limited organs to a suffering 12 year old, rather than a close-to-dying (closer than 12) 60 year old.

Actually, in Japan, kids under 15 are not permitted to have organ transplants, which is why many end up having to go to china to buy organs. There seems to be a cultural aversion in Japan to transplants, unlike, say Australia, where willingness to donate organs is the norm. I guess in 20-30 years, they may eventually catch up to us.
romulus3 at 01:08 AM JST - 28th November

There seems to be a cultural aversion in Japan to transplants

you are right. they need 20 or 30 more years.
punanydoc at 01:12 AM JST - 28th November

Zuleyka Unless a patient has Co-morbidities that makes them greater than a Physical Status of III, then there is NO Reason to deny a patient of 60 yo a Heart Transplant. The Japanese are reticent to do transplants on ANY patient, irrespective of their age. For this reason, Paediatric cases go to the USA ( especially Miami, FL ). There is no Evidece Based reason for the Japanese Medical Assoc. to deny these patients jut because they are 60 yo. Also, the post operative reasons you stated, are standard for all age groups. I have taught Japanese Doctors and I am a Board-Certified Anaesthesiologist, and I can tell you that Evidence Based Medicine plays no role in their decision.
punanydoc at 01:29 AM JST - 28th November

Notinger This patient will not be getting a Heart Transplant. She will be getting a Ventricular Assist Device. It was developed by EADS (European Space-Defence group ). No artificial heart can weight 90 grams.
rurika at 05:16 AM JST - 28th November

I believe this is the first LVAD approved for long-term use? The old girl may not live another 20 years but I'm sure if I was confined in bed the prospect of even just a year or two of 'normal' life would be wonderful news.
telecasterplayer at 04:15 PM JST - 30th November

made in America? good luck on that.