History and Development of Mechanical Circulatory Support

Friday, May 27, 2016

4:00 PM-5:30 PM

BIOMED Seminar

Title:
History and Development of Mechanical Circulatory Support

Speaker:
Francisco A. Arabía, MD, MBA
Co-Director, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Surgical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support Program
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

Abstract:
Once the primary function of the heart was identified by early scientists and physicians to be a pump that propel blood thru the body, the concept of replacing it with a man-made device was born. Although the initial concepts were fictitious devices, technology evolved to the point of developing primitive working models. Other technological advances in human physiology and medicine had to be made before a true working device was first introduced. The development of a total artificial heart (TAH) became one the most important scientific projects of the 1960s. Its design, components and energy source continues to challenge the scientific, medical, and engineering fields.

Over 10 TAHs have reached the clinical arena and have been implanted in humans primarily as a bridge to transplantation. The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) has taken a major role in the mechanical management of end stage heart disease. Although a significant number of patients can be help with LVADs, there still remains a group of patient where a TAH offers a better solution. There is currently one TAH approved for clinical use and 5 more in development. The newer technology appears very encouraging.

For more info, please visit drexel.edu/biomed.

WATCH WEBCAST

Biosketch:
Francisco A. Arabía, MD, serves as Co-Director, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery, the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the American Heart Association in advanced cardiovascular life support, Dr. Arabía came to Cedars-Sinai from the Mayo Clinic Arizona, where in 2005 he helped to start the first heart transplant program in metropolitan Phoenix.

Dr. Arabía has over two decades of experience in the fields of thoracic, cardiothoracic vascular, and transplant surgery, and often is called upon for his expertise by national and international news agencies. He has presented his work at professional conferences and meetings throughout the world, and has published peer-reviewed research in multiple journals, including the Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Dr. Arabía received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and served residencies in general surgery at Tulane University Affiliated Hospitals in New Orleans and in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Arizona, Tuscon. His undergraduate work was done at Tulane University, where he graduated magna cum laude in the field of Biomedical Engineering.

Among Dr. Arabía’s professional honors and awards are the Training Award of Excellence by the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs and a place on the Best Doctors in America list, compiled by Boston-based Best Doctors, Inc., which works with the best five percent of doctors, ranked by impartial peer review, to help people get the right diagnosis and right treatment.

Dr. Arabia also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arizona.

Contact Information

Ken Barbee
215-895-1335
barbee@drexel.edu