[A new design for a totally artificial heart: the ellipsoid heart (author's transl)]

Thromboembolic complications represent the main limiting factor in cardiac replacement by totally artificial hearts in calves at present. Thrombus formation within artificial hearts is caused by the appearance of stagnation areas. The ellipsoid heart eliminates stagnation areas by virtue of its production as a one-piece membrane. The heart is driven pneumatically and functions as a diaphragmatic blood pump. The stroke volume is 178 cm3 and the maximal cardiac output 15.8l/Min. Three acute experiments demonstrated a high degree of haemodynamic efficiency without compression of, or interference with surrounding structures, especially the inferior vena cava or the right atrium.