Work on long-term artificial heart picks up pace

A team of Australian scientists is leading the race to develop the world's first long-term artificial heart, an endeavor that could help drastically bring down the number of deaths from cardiac failure.

The artificial heart and two other cardiac devices are being developed by Monash University's Artificial Heart Frontiers Program in Melbourne.

The implantable cardiac devices, when complete, will for the first time offer long-term hope for people waiting for heart transplants.