Robert Tools

Robert Tools was the first recipient of a self-contained artificial heart. Tools, 59, of Franklin, KY, received the AbioCor mechanical heart on July 2, 2001, after he had been told that he would probably not live longer than a month if he didn't have the operation. He recuperated enough to be able to go fishing and to eat at restaurants, but then suffered a stroke in November and died of internal bleeding and organ failure 151 days after receiving the new organ.

Last updated: March 24, 2009.

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Robert L. Tools
Born	July 31, 1942(1942-07-31) Mobile, Alabama, United States
Died	November 30, 2001 (aged 59) Kentucky, United States
Occupation	Retired phone company technical librarian
Spouse(s)	Carol
Children	Two adult children in 2001

Robert L. Tools (July 31, 1942 – November 30, 2001) was the world's first recipient of a fully self-contained artificial heart called AbioCor. The operation took place on July 2, 2001. He survived for 151 days without a living heart. Dr. Joseph Fredi at Saint Thomas Hospital suggested the experimental procedure based on his knowledge of a research project by Abiomed.

See also

• Barney Clark, the first recipient of the Jarvik-7, a non-self-contained artificial heart.

External links

• http://www.heartpioneers.com/tools_bio.html
• http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/11/30/heart.htm

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