Prospects for using implanted systems of assisted circulation and artificial heart with a radioisotope power source...

The capacity of dogs to diffuse heat (up to 50 W) from an artificial heart and to tolerate prolonged intracorporeal ionizing radiation from a radioisotope power source (238Pu) was investigated, using electrical models of vascular blood heat exchangers that permit reproduction of elimination and heat transmission in autonomous systems. It was shown that up to 50 W can be discharged at temperatures of the wall-blood interface that do not exceed 43 degrees C. Clotting indexes, concentration of total protein, hemolysis, and serum enzyme activity during 1-1.5 months of heating remained within physiologically normal limits. A specific power load of up to 1.5 W/kg at ambient temperatures of 18-20 degrees C revealed no evidence of changes in heat production. By measuring the distribution of power of the dose absorbed around a 45-W plutonium source it was possible to estimate dose loads on critical organs and to assess overall risk of death from malignant tumors induced by radiation over a 10-year period: 6-12% for males and 8-14% for females. It is not very probable that use of the artificial heart with a radioisotope power source will be limited by thermal and radiational effects.