Dr. Robert Jarvik became known around the world when his first invention, the Jarvik 7 artificial heart, was implanted into retired dentist Dr. Barney Clark in 1982. This attempt at an open medical experiment in an otherwise dying man was labeled by some as a dismal failure. However, despite being determined as defeat by some, this event provided the launching board for further improvement, and the work continued despite loss of interest by the press and public in general.
Dr. Barney Clark agreed to undergo this extremely experimental medical procedure even though he himself only expected to live a few days. He wanted to be able to benefit medical science. What he did on December 2, 1982, was to give humanity his heart, life, and soul on a silver platter. Instead of seeing his great pioneer spirit, the press chose to focus on his suffering. However, suffering can only be measured by the individual experiencing it, and to him, he was achieving what he desired to achieve and hoped to leave behind as a legacy.
The second attempt at the use of the Jarvik 7 took place in 1985, when the device was implanted into William Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder lived 620 days with his artificial heart, but he too suffered complications along the way. He was able to fish, appear in parades, and visit his hometown during the time that his Jarvik 7 gave him.
After the intense press of Dr. Clark and Mr. Schroeder’s cases, work with the Jarvik 7 continued quietly without fanfare. The Jarvik 7 began to fulfill the role it was designed to do, give patients a bridge device to keep them alive until a heart transplant could be found. . Because the Jarvik 7 was available to perform the work of exhausted hearts until donor organs could be found, patients were able to live 5, 11, and 14 years after receiving a heart transplant
The cases of the early years allowed doctors to learn to more effectively manage their cases and consequently, complications plummeted. The Jarvik 7 has a history of 350 successful uses and is still in use today. In addition, contrary to those who report it as a "failed experiment," the Jarvik 7 has the highest success rate of any artificial heart or assist device ever developed. Today the Jarvik 7 has a new name -- the Cardiowest -- and hopefully it will gain a new reputation as well.