The device enabled him to stay alive until a donor heart became available.

Given that only 2,000 donor hearts are available each year, patients must wait eight months or more, she said.

Meanwhile, donor hearts would go to those who cannot be helped with drugs, she said.

In infants, the median waiting time for a donor heart is 119 days.

His device could be used by people waiting for a donor heart, he said.

This was presented to us as a possible method of keeping Miles alive long enough to get a donor heart.

With no donor heart available for transplant, she would die.

Last week, he entered a New York hospital for care until a donor heart is found.

Many patients can go home with them while awaiting a donor heart, he said.

You may wait a year or longer for a donor heart.