Arizona Man Who Received Heart Device Dies

TUCSON, Ariz-An Arizona man who received an experimental heart device last week at University Medical Center in Tucson has died from a lung infection.

William Mackay, 66, died at the hospital after developing the infection during surgery last Wednesday. The infection spread from his lungs into the blood stream, and eventually through his entire body.

The LionHeart device has been implanted in 17 people, including five in the US. Mackay is believed to be the first to have died after the procedure. The LionHeart device is unique because it is a completely internal system of pumping of the heart. Current systems use external power sources.

Mackay, who was suffering from end-stage heart failure, had a few months to live when he received the device.

Source: www.arizonarepublic.com