The heart is essentially the engine of the human body. The chambers of the heart contract and relax in order to move blood throughout the body (1).  The number of times the heart contracts and relaxes in a period of time is known one’s heart rate (1).  We associate the heart rate or contractions and a person’s pulse with life. If you have a pulse, then you are alive.

Until recently, if an individual had heart failure or heart disease their only options were to receive a heart transplant or die from the disease. Now, there are many researchers attempting to develop long-term artificial hearts. Many of which have made significant breakthroughs in their efforts

In 2011, Dr. Bud Frazier and Dr. Billy Cohn successfully implanted an artificial heart that creates a continuous flow of blood (2). As a result of the continuous flow the patient had no pulse (2).  Dr. Frazier’s studies also found that although the heart was not beating, the organs and tissues were not affected at all and worked properly with the alternate blood flow. The pair of doctors are continuing research and believe that the future will include life without a pulse.

(1) Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons

(2) “News and Publications.” Texas Heart Institute. Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, 23 Mar 2011. Web. 28 Feb 2013. <http://texasheart.org/AboutUs/News/2011-03-23news_tah.cfm