Medicine: Five Million Beats and Counting

After a month, Clark and his new heart are making progress

Surgeon William DeVries was working in his office at the University of Utah Medical Center last week when he heard a faint but familiar swooshing sound. He looked up from his desk and was happily surprised to see his most famous patient, Dentist Barney Clark, roll into the room in a wheelchair. With a little assistance from his nurses, the world's first recipient of a permanent artificial heart was enjoying an afternoon outing in the hospital corridors. A few feet behind Clark, and connected to his chest by two tubes, was...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!