Newest Recipient of Artificial Heart Suffers Strokes
Michael Drummond, the world’s newest and youngest artificial heart recipient, has suffered a series of tiny strokes, and surgeons have begun searching for a human heart to give him, one of his doctors said Thursday.
Dr. Jack Copeland said it appeared that Drummond had suffered no permanent brain damage from the strokes but that he was listed in critical and unstable condition.
Several other recipients of the Jarvik-7 heart have suffered strokes as well.
Early Thursday morning, doctors noticed that Drummond was slurring his words and stuttering. A neurological exam showed that his motor ability had been affected.
Drummond appeared to have suffered “multiple tiny strokes,” Copeland said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
