Total Artificial Heart

Q: To receive Total Artificial Heart (TAH), what is the basic anatomical requirement?


Answer:  In contrast to other non-pulsatile cardiac devices, TAH is a pulsatile device. Due to it's larger size, patient need to have an adequate body habitus documented on CT scan of chest with a 

•  body-surface area of >1.7 or
•  a distance of ≥10 cm from the 10th anterior vertebral body to the inner table of the sternum 

Reference:

Meyer A, Slaughter M. The total artificial heart. Panminerva Med 2011; 53:141.