Walk normally with an artificial heart

While waiting for a heart transplant, a man in California (USA) still walks normally with an artificial heart in his chest.

Chad Washington with backpack carrying power supply for artificial heart

Chad Washington underwent a seven-hour operation at Ronald Reagan Medical Center, University of California in Los Angeles (California, USA) for doctors to replace his heart with artificial heart (full name is SynCardia Temporary Total Artificial Heart).

This is a temporary pumping device, acting as a 'bridge' until Mr. Washington receives the donor's heart, according to ABC News.

Dr Murray Kwon, assistant professor of cardiac surgery, said previously patients with artificial cardiac surgery had to be hospitalized until they found a suitable donor, because they were attached to a large machine to supply. Energy supply for pumping equipment in the chest.

'However, the new technology has reduced the energy source, allowed to fit into the backpack' , according to Kwon expert, and so patients can leave the hospital and go home with their families as usual.