WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Having lived longer than anyone with an artificial heart, 71-year-old Tom Christerson died when it wore out Friday, the manufacturer announced.
Christerson died at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Ky., when the internal membrane of the device totally contained within his body gave way, ABIOMED, Inc. said in a statement issued on its web site.
The company is conducting a clinical trial of the plastic and titanium pump that was powered through the skin without protruding wires or other connections.
Two other people received the softball sized artifical hearts last month and are still alive. Four other people have died previously either in surgery or shortly after.
Christerson's artificial heart allowed him to see his first great-grandchild and celebrate his 55th wedding anniversary. His wife Speedy and two adult children were with him on his last day.
At the time he received the heart, in September 2001, Christerson was not expected to live an additional month.
"Our entire company is personally touched by Tom's passing," ABIOMED CEO David Lederman said. "Tom Christerson will be remembered as a medical pioneer and hero, but those terms are equally applicable to every member of his family who shared this extraordinary challenge and experience with him."
The Danvers, Mass., company statement said the AbioCor artificial heart is not available for sale and is being used for research under the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration.
"Tom lived with the AbioCor, free of significant adverse events, for 512 days, well beyond any of the longevity expectations of our initial clinical trial," Lederman said. "For a good portion of that time he was at home with his family, free to travel and to engage as he wished in a wide variety of social activities."
The retired car dealer from Central City, Ky., could be seen in file videotape on CNN walking and smiling. "Many of the lessons we have learned from Tom and his family have already been incorporated into measures designed to allow more patient-friendly operation of the system and to support an even higher quality of life," Lederman said.
