2007-06-11 06:03:15 · 4 answers · asked by dib 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
There are artificial hearts available now but they're not very long-term solutions as they're only expected to work for 90 days or so.
Dialysis machines can replace the kidneys externally and there's a machine called ECMO which is extracoropreal membrane oxygenation that bypasses the heart and lungs and pumps blood and filters air into the blood to oxygenate it, essentially meaning your lung and heart don't have to do anything while on it.
There's also a balloon pump called an LVAD which helps your heart pump and is usually used as a bridge to transplant. Otherwise that's about all we've got. Everything else is transplanted.
2007-06-11 07:08:21 · answer #1 · answered by Jay 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Heart and kidney machines that do some of the functions; but don't replace
2007-06-11 13:07:11 · answer #2 · answered by wizjp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are also working on creating an artificial lung. But that will be long in development.
2007-06-11 16:51:30 · answer #3 · answered by Belgariad 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are mechanical heart valves being used today- st jude's valves.
2007-06-12 19:24:46 · answer #4 · answered by belfus 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋