Health & Healthcare

Never-before Published Photos: 30 Years Ago Michael Drummond Became the 1st Heart Failure Patient to be Successfully Bridged to a Donor Heart Transplant

In 1985, Michael Drummond needed a heart transplant to save his life, but no donor heart was available. On Sept. 8, 1985, the Total Artificial Heart became the first long-term device to successfully bridge a dying patient to a donor heart transplant.

Sep 4, 2015 5:00 PM ET

Campaign: SynCardia Total Artificial Heart Patients in the News

Dr. Jack Copeland operates on Michael Drummond. ©1985 Arizona Board of Regents/The University of Arizona Health Sciences. Photo credit: Jeb Zirato, UAHS BioCommunications

This picture of Michael Drummond’s surgery includes someone monitoring “Big Blue,” the nickname of the 400-pound driver that powered Drummond’s Total Artificial Heart. ©1985 Arizona Board of Regents/The University of Arizona Health Sciences. Photo credit: Jeb Zirato, UAHS BioCommunications

Dr. Jack Copeland visits bridge to transplant patient Michael Drummond at University Medical Center. © 1985 Arizona Board of Regents/The University of Arizona Health Sciences BioCommunications

Dr. Robert Jarvik shows heart transplant patient Michael Drummond the Total Artificial Heart that kept him alive while waiting a matching donor heart. The medical team included, from left, Richard Smith, Dr. Mark Levinson and Dr. Jack Copeland. © 1985 Arizona Board of Regents/The University of Arizona Health Sciences BioCommunications

30 Years Ago Michael Drummond Became the 1st Heart Failure Patient to be Succes…

A successful bridge to a donor heart transplant (BTT) 30 years ago revolutionized the treatment of end-stage biventricular (both sides) heart failure when Michael Drummond received a Total Artificial Heart implant—a direct predecessor of the modern SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t).

The initial five implants of the Total Artificial Heart were for permanent use. This was the first time a Total Artificial Heart, or any long-term mechanical assist device, was used to successfully bridge a patient to a donor heart transplant.

›› See never-before published photos during and after Michael Drummond’s historic heart transplant.

Never-before Published Photos: 30 Years Ago Michael Drummond Became the 1st Heart Failure Patient to be Successfully Bridged to a Donor Heart Transplant

In 1985, Michael Drummond needed a heart transplant to save his life, but no donor heart was available. On Sept. 8, 1985, the Total Artificial Heart became the first long-term device to successfully bridge a dying patient to a donor heart transplant.

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