Each year, thousands die while waiting for needed donated organs, but a man in Michigan was able to survive the stretch by using a total artificial heart.
Each year, thousands die while waiting for needed donated organs, but a man in Michigan was able to survive the stretch by using a total artificial heart, notes CNET.
Stan Larkin was born with familial cardiomyopathy, and the condition rendered his own vital organ inoperable about a year and a half ago.
In December of 2014, doctors at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center outfitted him with the artificial heart and a SynCardia Freedom Portable Driver.
The roughly 13-pound portable device, which Larkin carried around in a backpack, took over the blood pumping duties until a transplant was an option.
Last month, Larkin, who is now 25, finally got the donated heart he’d been waiting for.
He recently said at a press conference, "It was an emotional rollercoaster…I want to thank the donor who gave themselves for me. I'd like to meet their family one day.”
