# Source: University of Utah — Cardiology Artificial Heart History

**Type:** source
**Status:** Useful
**Confidence:** High
**Source Type:** University Page
**URL:** https://medicine.utah.edu/cardiology/about/history/artificial-heart
**Publisher:** University of Utah School of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
**Accessed:** 2026-06-19
**Updated:** 2026-06-19

## Summary

Official University of Utah institutional history page covering the development of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart, the December 2, 1982 implant in Barney Clark, and the program's broader role in establishing Utah as a center of artificial-organ research.

## Useful Claims

- The Jarvik-7 was developed at the University of Utah's Division of Artificial Organs under Willem Kolff's direction, with Robert Jarvik as lead designer.
- Barney Clark received the first Jarvik-7 implant on December 2, 1982, performed by surgeon William DeVries; Clark survived 112 days.
- The University of Utah program seeded the medical-device culture that continues in the region today.
- Descendant devices including the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart remain in clinical use.

## Reliability Notes

Primary institutional source; the University of Utah is the originating institution for this research, giving this page direct authority on the program's history. Cross-check with published surgical records and FDA filings for clinical details.

## Related Pages

- [Jarvik-7 Artificial Heart](jarvik-7-artificial-heart.md)