ARTIFICIAL HEARTS

It seems as if some Italians have managed to construct a small artificial heart to put into babies (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/05/24/doctors-save-baby-with-smallest-artificial-heart/). I don't know about this. As the baby grows, I assume it will have to have operations to install increasingly larger artificial hearts (assuming that this thing really works). I don't know how often, but, in the rapidly growing years, might it be every year? The baby's artificial heart weighs 11 gm whereas an adults weighs 900 gm.

Suppose a suitable heart is found for transplant at some age, will it grow with the baby or young child or will repeated heart transplants be necessary? A life on anti rejection treatments. My understanding is that these are hard on the liver. Will a liver transplant be necessary in the future too?

We like to think that every life is precious, but what will the cost be for this baby if everything works out? I suspect it will be in the millions of dollars. How many babies can we afford to do this for? We have a strong effort right now that we can't afford our current health care plans.