Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026

Implantation of the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart
Published on: July 18, 2014
Prehabilitation Using a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for a Patient With a Total Artificial Heart Prior to Heart
Michaël Racodon1, Éric Hermand, Jean-Michel Lemahieu
1Clinique la Mitterie, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Lille, France (Drs Racodon, Lemahieu, Delfanne, Vanhove, and Secq and Ms Blairon) and Univ. Lille, Univ. Artois, Univ. Littoral Côte d'Opale, Lille, France (Drs Racodon and Hermand).
Introduction:
The last few decades have been marked by significant advances in mechanical cardiocirculatory support. A total artificial heart (TAH) became a viable therapeutic option for numerous patients as a bridge to heart transplantation, particularly for those in end-stage heart failure. This technology aims to address the various subsequent shortfalls of organs. This report reviews the impact of a prehabilitation on a patient with an Aeson TAH (Carmat).
Discussion:
We assessed improvements in functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in a newly implanted patient following standard cardiac rehabilitation as a prehabilitation program, using 6-min walk test and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) health survey, respectively. Similar functional improvements were observed over a short period of 2 wk compared with a longer protocol for patients with a heart transplant, and superior effects on QoL. The patient was successfully transplanted 5 mo after the TAH implantation.
Summary:
Prehabilitation of a patient with a TAH increased both their physical capacity and QoL.
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