Medicine: Stilling the Artificial Beat

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The current device, many believe, should be used to sustain a patient until a natural heart can be transplanted. About a dozen such operations have been performed in the U.S. Some experts argue that the need for a permanent implant is waning as heart transplants have become increasingly successful and the criteria have been broadened to accept previously rejected candidates. Indeed, notes DeVries, the last five patients referred to him as potential recipients of permanent artificial pumps have been given transplants. He remains convinced of the need for a permanent artificial device. With FDA permission for three more operations, he is looking for the next candidate. Says DeVries, who gave the eulogy at Schroeder's funeral in Jasper last weekend: "It's always sad to see someone you love leave, but he has given us a new motivation to go on."