A new automatically controlled electric TAH.

Cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms are implemented by means of a very complex control system involving neural, humoral, and mechanical agents. The state of the art in TAH today reveals that we have passed a stage where we can be satisfied with a 6 or 9 mo survival. Development and implementation of a versatile control theory must be another milestone before a TAH can really serve the prospective patient population requiring such a device. This study reveals the vital role and merits as well as the feasibility of incorporating such a control theory into the device.