Scandinavian corporation Real Heart AB has partnered with Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden for clinical trials of its artificial heart.

The company is involved in the development of a total artificial heart (TAH) for implanting in patients with heart failure. Its TAH has a patented design, which resembles the natural human heart.

The TAH features a four-chamber system, including two atria and two ventricles, which helps generate a physiological blood flow pattern that mimics the natural circulation of the body.

As part of the collaboration, Real Heart will work with the hospital’s Transplantation Center and Thorax Clinic chief physician and Professor Göran Dellgren.

The studies of the artificial heart will commence once everything is ready.

Under the framework of the collaboration, various experimental and pre-clinical studies will be conducted. It will also include an assessment of patient selection and surgical methods.

The company aims to replace heart transplants with TAHs in the future or at least offer a comprehensive alternative that delivers better results, fewer side effects and improved accessibility for patients.

According to the company, around 60 heart transplants are performed every year in Sweden, but the requirement is far greater than that.

Real Heart CEO Ina Laura Perkins said: “We see great potential and synergy in our collaboration with Professor Dellgren at Sahlgrenska Hospital.

“It is incredibly important for us to have a dedicated and clinically active heart surgeon with us and now we will work together to prepare to be able to conduct a clinical trial in Sweden.”