texas heart institute with a severe case of cardiac amyloidosis. he was given an experimental continuous-flow artificial heart transplant which saved his life. lewis died 5 weeks later of liver failure after slipping into a coma due to the amyloidosis. in 2012, a study published in the new england journal of medicine compared the berlin heart to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ecmo) and concluded that "a ventricular assist device available in several sizes for use in children as a bridge to heart transplantation was associated with a significantly higher rate of survival as compared with ecmo." the study's primary author, charles d. fraser jr., surgeon in chief at texas children's hospital, explained: "with the berlin heart, we have a more effective therapy to offer patients earlier in the management of their heart failure. when we sit with parents, we have real data to offer so they can make an informed decision. this is a giant step forward." suffering from end-stage heart failure, former vice president dick cheney underwent a procedure at inova fairfax hospital, in fairfax virginia in july 2010, to have a heartmate ii vad implanted. in 2012, he received a heart transplant at age 71 after 20 months on a waiting list.