New artificial heart gives patient newfound mobility

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Most patients with artificial hearts are stuck in the hospital, but not Chad Washington.

He can go home for the holidays thanks to UCLA Medical Center.

The 35-year-old was given a SynCardia Temporary Total Artificial Heart.

The technology is small enough to fit in a backpack, say doctors.

So instead of being stuck in a hospital, patients have their mobility back — or as UCLA put it, “You can even go to the supermarket, watch your kid’s soccer game or go on a hike.”