The first artificial heart could help 10,000 patients in France - TF1

Invented by the French surgeon Alain Carpentier, the artificial heart developed by the French group Carmat reproduces the operation of the natural heart. It is intended for patients suffering from heart failure at a terminal stage and whose life expectancy is very short. After the success of the first location in Paris this week, three more operations are planned in the short term. In France, some 350 transplants are performed each year, limited by the number of donors, “but there are many more patients waiting: it is believed that there are at least 10,000 patients who may ultimately benefit from such substitution, “said Jean-Noël Fabiani, head of the Georges Pompidou Hospital where the operation took place.

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In Europe and North America, 100,000 to 120,000 patients could potentially benefit from this technology, an estimated around € 16 billion global market, according Carmat. The price of this heart is estimated by analysts between 140,000 and 180,000 euros, while a conventional transplant costs 250,000 euros in France and almost one million dollars (730,000 euros) in the United States, according to figures provided by Carmat. Philippe Pouletty, one of the founders of the company, said in an interview published Saturday by the newspaper Le Monde that the heart of Carmat could cost around 150,000 euros, an amount comparable to that in his transplant, but it would save some 20,000 euros per year in treatment
Holland. “France can be proud of this exceptional action”
After
commercial launch in Europe, Carmat make the necessary tests for a study to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug, the Federal Drug Agency (FDA). The company has obtained permission in September the French authorities to test the heart in four patients in France in three institutions. She had already obtained permission in May of four medical centers abroad. The first phase of testing, which will last one month after implantation of the fourth patient, will focus on the safety of the prosthesis.
During a second phase taking place over six months and to measure its effectiveness, Carmat plans to expand its test to 20 patients while increasing implantation centers in France and abroad. François Hollande congratulated Saturday all the actors in this world first. “This day has been for years,” says the president in a letter sent to the press, saying that “France can be proud of this outstanding action in the service of human progress.” Jean-Marc Ayrault, too, sent his congratulations. “Thank you for the hope and prospects that this feat opens,” tweeted the Prime Minister.

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