The role of cardiac valves in artificial heart performance.

The criteria for the design, selection of materials, and fabrication of a total artificial heart have evolved over several years. As these criteria have become more sophisticated and exact, they have optimized the performance of all components within the system. A pump with sufficient volume and pressure output that fits in the available anatomic space was a primary objective. Concomitantly, a nonthrombogenic, durable material that was nondegradable in body fluids was being developed. The most easily managed energy source selected to date has been pulsed, compressed air programmed for gentle but effective systole and diastole. The evolution of good cardiac valves has been of major importance to the artificial heart effort. The historical development of the artificial heart has often centered around existing prosthetic valves which are currently an integral component of the complete system. A detailed analysis of the performance of the total artificial heart clearly identifies the role of the cardiac valve.