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by crispweed 3117 days ago
> Currently used blood pumps have many disadvantages: their mechanical parts are susceptible to complications while the patient lacks a physiological pulse, which is assumed to have some consequences for the patient.

Kind of weird, but apparently people with artificial hearts that don't give a pulse don't really suffer any obvious consequences:

https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-02/no-pulse-how-...

2 comments

I've often wondered, but have never heard anything one way or the other, if not having a pulse might not be better. I mean think of all of the physical things that have reduced lifespans due to pulsing. Whether it's high frequency like vibration, or low frequency like when your car's brake rotors are warped. Not only do the brakes not work as well, it's hard on wheel bearings and to a lesser extent suspension parts. Or did our vascular system evolve to rely on that pulse? Like, I dunno, helps keep arteries clear or something.

Unfortunately, last I paid attention, artificial heart patients don't live long enough to make an evaluation.

That was a really good read, thanks. I wonder how this has progressed since then?