In recent years, technological advances in cardiology have opened up new treatment prospects for patients with serious heart problems. Nevertheless, these medical innovations do not solve all the challenges and complications that patients face on a daily basis.
Today, Procope Medicals is giving a voice to those patients who currently live or have lived with these medical devices (ventricular assistants, total artificial hearts, pacemakers, etc.). Relaying their stories enables us to shed light on the difficulties they encounter, their day-to-day feelings, so that we can work towards a substantial improvement in these patients’ quality of life.
Life before implantation
What was your health situation before receiving this circulatory assistance pump?
“At 78, I lead a very active and sporty life, including regular cycling with my friends. My life took an unexpected turn in 2017 when I suffered a heart attack. This took me to the emergency room, and the doctors diagnosed me with cardiac necrosis. I was told I was too old for a heart transplant, but that there might be a mechanical solution. So I was implanted with a HeartMate II®, a mechanical pump, and I’m gradually trying to get my life back to normal.”
Guy, 78, Puy-de-Dôme
Impact on quality of life
How has living today with an artificial heart affected your daily life?
“I was implanted with a total artificial heart, the CardioWest® from Syncardia. As I suffer from Marfan syndrome, my heart didn’t start beating again after the operation, which forced me to live with this total artificial heart. It has certainly enabled me to (over)live while waiting for a heart transplant, but I face many difficulties : two tubes run through my skin, which means a constant risk of infection. Then, living through the machine was a shock for me, creating a strange sensation inside my body. I used to be a great sportsman, and I continue to persevere despite the obstacles.”
Joffroy Roussel, 27
Outlook & life expectancy
How does this new way of life influence your vision of the future, both personally and in terms of technology and innovation?
“I’ve been living with a circulatory assistance pump called VentrAssist® for 9 years. It enables me to live an almost normal life, although I have to avoid certain physical activities and carry a backpack containing the pump’s batteries. This remains an opportunity to make up for heart transplants. And I believe that technological progress will enable us to move towards greater comfort for us patients.”
Yves-Noël Boulo, Saint-Nazaire
“In 2016, I was implanted with HeartMate®, a ventricular assistance device. This procedure forced me to relearn how to eat, walk and so on. Even though there were a lot of post-operative complications, I remain optimistic because it’s a chance to be able to live after my heart failure thanks to this type of device.”
Jean-Dominique Grau, 77, Geneva
These interesting and poignant testimonials reveal the daily challenges faced by artificial heart patients. Despite the technological advances of recent years, current medical devices still present significant complications and constraints for patients.
Procope Medicals is currently developing a fully implantable heart prosthesis in collaboration with doctors and scientists. This hemocompatible cardiac prosthesis will be compatible with all morphologies (women & men), and its system of energy transfer through the skin will eliminate the need for wires and cannulas. Our mission is to guarantee the best possible living conditions for patients living with an artificial heart.