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 Ray Liotta Raymond Allen Liotta (born December 18, 1954) is an American actor, film producer, and voice actor. Liotta is best known for his portrayal of Henry Hill in the crime drama "Goodfellas" (1990); other notable roles include Ray Sinclair in Jonathan Demme's "Something Wild" (1986), for which he received a Golden Globe nomination, Shoeless Joe Jackson in "Field of Dreams" (1989), Officer Pete Davis in "Unlawful Entry" (1992), Officer Gary Figgis in "Cop Land" (1997), Paul Krendler in "Hannibal" (2001), Fred Jung in "Blow" (2001), Tommy Vercetti in the video game "" (2002), Chief Gus Monroe in "John Q"