11. The First Artificial Heart Implant (1982)
In December 1982, Dr. William DeVries implanted the Jarvik-7 artificial heart into Barney Clark, a retired dentist from Seattle suffering from end-stage heart failure. This marked the first permanent artificial heart implantation, a significant milestone in medical technology. The device, designed by Dr. Robert Jarvik, was powered by an external pneumatic pump and was intended as a bridge to heart transplantation. Clark survived for 112 days post-implantation, during which he experienced various complications, including seizures and disorientation. Despite these challenges, the procedure demonstrated the potential of mechanical circulatory support and paved the way for future advancements in artificial heart technology (Smithsonian Institution).
