Schroeder Leaves Coronary Care Unit for Third Time; Condition Satisfactory

William J. Schroeder, the longest-living recipient of an artificial heart, was moved out of coronary care into a private hospital room again Monday and his condition was upgraded to satisfactory.

It was the third time that Schroeder, who returned to the hospital May 6 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage and stroke, has been moved from the coronary care unit into private quarters.

Before his latest return, he had spent 30 days living across the street from Humana Hospital Audubon in a specially equipped apartment.

“Schroeder’s condition is still stable. Officially we’ve upgraded him to satisfactory,” Donna Hazle, the hospital’s director of public relations, said Monday.

Schroeder is still unable to speak, she said.

Murray P. Haydon, Audubon’s other living implant recipient, continues to improve slowly, Hazle said.

Haydon, 58, of Louisville, has been confined to intensive care since developing severe breathing problems March 18. He has needed a respirator to breathe for at least part of each day since then.