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The TAH replaces the lower chambers of the heart, called ventricles . Tubes connect the TAH to a power source that is outside the body. The TAH then pumps blood through the heart’s major artery to the lungs and the rest of the body.
The TAH has four mechanical valves that work like the heart’s own valves to control blood flow. These valves connect the TAH to your heart’s upper chambers, called the atria , and to the major arteries, the pulmonary artery, and the aorta. Once the TAH is connected, it duplicates the action of a normal heart, providing mechanical circulatory support and restoring normal blood flow through the body. The TAH is powered and controlled by a bedside console for patients in the hospital. After they leave the hospital, people with a TAH use a portable control device that fits in a shoulder bag or backpack and weighs about 14 pounds. It can be recharged at home or in a car.
Normal Heart and a Total Artificial Heart Device
To understand how a TAH works, you may want to read how the heart works.