Robert Tools, recipient of artificial heart, dies

Robert Tools, the first person to receive a fully self-contained artificial heart, recently died of internal bleeding and organ failure after he lived with the device in his chest for 151 days. He was 59.

The death was announced by Drs. Laman Gray Jr. and Robert Dowling, who implanted the softball-size device at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY, on July 2.

They said the death was not caused by problems with the AbioCor heart device. They blamed the severe abdominal bleeding on long-standing heath problems.

"Mr. Tools and his family members are heroes," Dr. Dowling said. "Their willingness to be the first to participate in the AbioCor clinical trial could potentially pave the way for a revolutionary treatment option for advanced heart disease."

Tools was suffering from congestive heart failure, diabetes and kidney disease prior to the artificial heart, and had been given little chance of surviving 30 days without the surgery.

Four others have had the same surgery and are living with AbioCor hearts. A fifth patient underwent the surgery in Houston at press time, but did not survive the operation.

The plastic-and-titanium device was made by Abiomed of Denvers, MA. Unlike earlier artificial hearts, it has no wires or tubes that stick out of the chest and connects to a big compressor.

As recently as early November, Tools was able to have collard greens and a cheese steak during a luncheon outing with Louisville's mayor. He had recovered enough to make frequent day excursions outside the hospital, including a fishing trip.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; a daughter, Chandra; and a son, Carlin.