Scandinavian Real Heart presented the artificial heart on June 18 at the XVIII World Transplant Games in Gothenburg with H.R.H. Prince Daniel as the royal patron of the event.

Heart transplants and the use of various cardiac prostheses in support of the natural heart have increased dramatically in recent decades. In excess of 50,000 individuals are in need of heart assisting devices any given day in the USA alone, but only roughly 4,000 donors are available. Current devices certainly offer great benefits, but have certain disadvantages. In view of this, there is a significant need – and an opportunity – to develop the next generation of support devices.

Knowledge of cardiac physiology has increased together with technological development, the launch of new materials, improved manufacturing processes, and enhancement in battery technology. This has created opportunities to develop a new total artificial heart device that better resembles the natural heart.

Scandinavian Real Heart AB was set up in 2007 to capitalise on R&D, inventions, and intellectual property developed by the founder, Dr Azad Najar. The “Aros” total artifical heart device has been in development in excess of 10 years and takes, inter alia, into account recent public and proprietary development related to flow dynamics, materials, pump physiology, and device power supply. Several leading Swedish institutes and cardiothoracic clinics have been, and continue to be significant partners in bringing this to the greater benefit of heart patients.