Living without a heart beat -- a patient's life with an artificial heart

Nancy Miller has an artificial heart, but no heart beat, because the device regulates a smooth flow of blood through her body. It's a miraculous treatment, and Kelly Tucker, M.D., director of cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at the Orange County Heart Institute, explains and demonstrates how the artificial heart works.
Tucker is joined by Larry Santora, M.D., medical director of the Orange County Heart Institute, and Heidi Cortese, both hosts of "Health Matters with Dr. Larry Santora" television series, which airs weekly on PBS OC. Visit www.drsantora.com.
Produced by Chapman University's Panther Productions, "Health Matters with Dr. Larry Santora" is sponsored by St. Joseph Health, St. Joseph Hospital, Biotronik, Churm Media, The Widdicombe Family, Medtronic, Weaver Health Solutions and Abbott Vascular.

[@ZoolanderSkytower]

Why not have 2 or 3 pumps running side by side so if there is a blockage or failure then the patient has blood flow while the problem is fixed? Also What is the point of keeping the heart there if it is no longer working? Would the patient be able to survive if the heart was completely replaced with the pump/pumps? Also what sort of cost is this and is it only available for patients with good health coverage?

[@mattlm64]

+Zoolander Skytower My guess is it's easier and less risky to keep the heart in place.