Artificial heart newer versions, such as the Heartmate II, developed by The Texas Heart Institute of Houston, provide continuous flow. These pumps (which may be centrifugal or axial flow) are smaller and potentially more durable and last longer than the current generation of total heart replacement pumps. Another major advantage of a VAD is that the patient keeps the natural heart, which may still function for temporary back-up support if the mechanical pump were to stop. This may provide enough support to keep the patient alive until a solution to the problem is implemented. In August 2006, an artificial heart was implanted
Ray Liotta starring opposite Jennifer Lopez in "Shades of Blue". He doesn’t smoke anymore Liotta married actress Michelle Grace in February 1997 after they met at her former husband Mark Grace's professional baseball game. Together they co-starred in "The Rat Pack", in which Liotta played Frank Sinatra and Grace played Judith Campbell Exner. They have a daughter, Karsen Liotta, born in 1998. The couple divorced in 2004. From his experience shooting the Western "Texas Rising," Liotta says he has continued horseback riding. He said, "I was obsessed with riding horses [on the show]. I love it now. I've never had a hobby.