artificial heart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical; occasionally appears in news and popular science contexts.
Quick answer
What does “artificial heart” mean?
A mechanical device surgically implanted to replace a damaged or failing human heart, pumping blood throughout the body.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mechanical device surgically implanted to replace a damaged or failing human heart, pumping blood throughout the body.
More broadly, can refer to any advanced mechanical or biomechanical system that performs the essential life-sustaining function of a biological organ, sometimes used metaphorically for central, vital support systems in organizations or technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and term are identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both regions. May carry connotations of medical innovation, last-resort treatment, and ethical debates about biotechnology.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in cardiology and biomedical engineering contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “artificial heart” in a Sentence
VERB + artificial heart: develop, design, implant, fit, receive, rely onADJECTIVE + artificial heart: permanent, temporary, experimental, mechanical, biocompatibleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “artificial heart” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The surgical team prepared to fit the artificial heart.
- Funding for artificial heart research comes from both public and private sources.
American English
- He became the first patient in the state to receive a fully implantable artificial heart.
- The artificial heart trial was approved by the FDA.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in biotech investment reports: 'The company's flagship product is a next-generation artificial heart.'
Academic
Common in medical, bioengineering, and ethics journals: 'The long-term biocompatibility of the artificial heart remains a significant challenge.'
Everyday
Rare, typically in news headlines about medical breakthroughs: 'Patient lives for six months with a new artificial heart.'
Technical
Standard term in cardiology and biomedical engineering for a specific class of medical device.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “artificial heart”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “artificial heart”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “artificial heart”
- Using 'artificial heart' to refer to a pacemaker or defibrillator (these regulate rhythm, not pump blood).
- Confusing it with 'heart-lung machine' (an external device used during surgery).
- Using in non-technical contexts where 'mechanical heart' or 'fake heart' might be misinterpreted as childish or simplistic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A pacemaker sends electrical signals to regulate the heartbeat's rhythm. An artificial heart physically pumps blood, replacing the heart's pumping function entirely.
Current technology does not allow for permanent, lifelong replacement. Artificial hearts are typically used as a 'bridge' to keep patients alive until a donor heart transplant is available, or in some cases as destination therapy for those ineligible for transplant, but they have limited durability and risk complications like infection and blood clots.
Most modern artificial hearts are powered by an external battery pack worn by the patient. Wires or a drive line pass through the skin to connect the internal pump to the external power source and control system.
A key challenge is preventing the formation of blood clots (thrombi) caused by blood contacting the artificial surfaces of the device, which can lead to strokes or device failure. Other challenges include infection, device durability, and providing a natural, responsive blood flow.
A mechanical device surgically implanted to replace a damaged or failing human heart, pumping blood throughout the body.
Artificial heart is usually technical/medical; occasionally appears in news and popular science contexts. in register.
Artificial heart: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.tɪˌfɪʃ.əl ˈhɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑr.t̬əˌfɪʃ.əl ˈhɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Have a heart of gold/pumpkin/etc. (contrasts the artificial with metaphorical qualities)”
- “To be the heart of something (contrasts mechanical core with emotional/organic core)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a skilled ARTIST (arti-) who is FICIAL (efficient and official) building a mechanical HEART for a clockwork person. Artist + Official = Artificial.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MACHINE / THE HEART IS A PUMP. The artificial heart is the ultimate realization of this metaphor, literally replacing the organic 'pump' with a mechanical one.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an artificial heart?