The "Tuebingen heart" is a piece of medical history named after the German city of Tübingen where it was first described. The word "Tuebingen" is spelled with two dots above the letter "u" which indicates that it should be pronounced as a long "u" sound, similar to the "oo" sound in "pool". The phonetic transcription of the word is ˈtʏbɪŋən, with the stressed syllable being "ty". This famous anatomical specimen is a rare and fascinating example of a congenital heart abnormality.
The term "Tuebingen heart" refers to a mechanical heart pump device that was developed at the University of Tuebingen in Germany. It is a type of ventricular assist device (VAD) that is designed to support and partially replace the function of the human heart in patients with severe heart failure.
This compact mechanical pump is implanted in the chest and is connected to the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart. It assists the heart in pumping blood throughout the body, providing temporary support to patients awaiting a heart transplant or those who are not eligible for transplant surgery. The Tuebingen heart can maintain the circulation of blood and restore normal organ function during this critical waiting period.
The device consists of a motor-driven impeller that propels the blood out through an outlet tube, while an inlet tube brings the blood in from the left ventricle. The impeller is powered by an external controller that monitors and adjusts the pump's speed, matching it to the patient's needs.
The Tuebingen heart is known for its compact size and ease of implantation, and it has shown promising results in terms of improving patient outcomes and survival rates. However, like any mechanical device, there are risks associated with its use, such as infection, bleeding, and device malfunction.
In summary, the Tuebingen heart refers to a mechanical heart pump that supports and partially replaces the function of the heart in patients with severe heart failure, providing temporary circulatory support while awaiting a heart transplant or when transplant surgery is not an option.
The damaged heart of an athlete or of a laborer, marked by increased area of dullness, abnormal accentuation of the sounds, murmurs heard after exertion or constantly, and slow and irregular pulse.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "Tübingen heart" refers to a romantic concept associated with the German town of Tübingen. However, it is important to note that there is no specific etymology for this term since it is not a widely recognized or established term in the English language.