Robert Jarvik, the visionary behind the first artificial heart permanently implanted in a human, passed away on May 26 at his Manhattan home. He was 79 years old. His wife, writer Marilyn vos Savant, confirmed that the cause of death was complications from Parkinson’s disease.
On December 2, 1982, a surgical team led by Dr. William DeVries successfully performed a pioneering operation at the University of Utah Medical Center. They replaced the failing heart of Barney Clark, a 61-year-old dentist from Seattle, with the Jarvik-7, a groundbreaking device made of plastic and metal. Clark, suffering from congestive heart failure, was ineligible for a traditional heart transplant due to his age and deteriorating health. Faced with limited options, he agreed to become the first human recipient of the experimental heart designed by Dr. Jarvik.
Dr. DeVries noted the gravity of the situation, stating that "all the doctors on the team believed he would be dead" without the surgery, and emphasized the success of the operation when Clark awakened, expressing love for his wife despite his new artificial heart.
The operation drew significant media attention, transforming Dr. Jarvik into a medical celebrity. Known for his distinctive looks and diverse interests such as skiing, weightlifting, and poetry, he revealed a personal motivation for his work—his father, a physician, had succumbed to complications after open-heart surgery in 1976. “I was trying to make a heart for him,” Dr. Jarvik reflected, admitting, “I was too late.”
Despite his fame, Dr. Jarvik humbly acknowledged that he was "not really the inventor" of the artificial heart, highlighting the contributions of earlier researchers, including his mentor, Willem Johan Kolff. While he chaired the company that manufactured the Jarvik-7, he did not hold any patents for the device itself. He focused on advancing existing concepts and refining the technology, particularly the heart's flexible diaphragm.
Creating a viable power source for the artificial heart was a significant hurdle for researchers. Initially, there were considerations of using radioactive plutonium, but ultimately, Dr. Jarvik’s design required an external air compressor, connected by long hoses. He envisioned a more compact, portable pump that could be worn like a backpack, and ultimately aimed for a self-contained system powered by external batteries.
In his words, "If the artificial heart is ever to achieve its objective, it must be more than a pump. It must also be more than functional, reliable and dependable. It must be forgettable." Unfortunately, Clark’s journey with the Jarvik-7 was fraught with complications, and he passed away after 112 days due to a series of health issues.
The second patient to receive the Jarvik-7, William J. Schroeder, initially showed promising recovery, even enjoying a beer and chatting with reporters post-surgery. However, his health declined, leading to multiple strokes, and he passed away after 620 days. These cases sparked intense debate over the efficacy and ethical implications of the Jarvik-7. Critics questioned whether the financial costs, estimated at $16,450 (approximately $54,000 today), justified the medical complications and suffering involved.
As criticism mounted, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute called for a pause in artificial heart research, leading to a withdrawal of federal funding. In 1990, the FDA revoked approval for the Jarvik-7 due to quality-control issues at its manufacturing facility. By then, the device was repurposed as a temporary solution for patients awaiting human heart transplants.
Reflecting on his ambitions, Dr. Jarvik later admitted that believing the Jarvik-7 could serve as a permanent heart replacement was "probably the biggest mistake I have ever made." This realization led him to collaborate on smaller battery-powered heart pumps, known as ventricular assist devices (VADs), which support rather than replace the heart. These devices have been widely adopted, benefiting many patients, including notable figures like former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Born on May 11, 1946, in Midland, Michigan, Robert Koffler Jarvik grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. His father was a family doctor, and his mother assisted in running the practice. Jarvik’s early interest in medicine was piqued after his father's survival of an aortic aneurysm. After graduating from Syracuse University with a degree in zoology, he faced numerous rejections from medical schools before finally enrolling at the University of Bologna in Italy.
Dr. Jarvik later worked under Kolff at the University of Utah, leading to his medical degree in 1976. As his career progressed, he became a familiar face in advertising, featuring in campaigns for Hathaway shirts and later for Pfizer’s Lipitor. However, his involvement in these promotions faced scrutiny, with critics pointing out inaccuracies regarding his credentials.
Dr. Jarvik's first marriage to Elaine Levin ended in divorce, but together they had two children, Kate and Tyler. In 1987, he married Marilyn vos Savant, known for her exceptional IQ. He is survived by his wife, their two stepchildren, and five grandchildren. Notably, he crafted their wedding rings from gold and pyrolytic carbon, mirroring the material used in the artificial heart.
Robert Jarvik's legacy as a pioneering figure in cardiac surgery and artificial heart technology will continue to influence the medical field for years to come. His efforts have paved the way for advancements in heart treatment, especially in the realm of temporary solutions for patients in need of transplants.
