William J. Schroeder

William J. Schroeder (1932 - August 7, 1986) of Jasper, Indiana, was one of the first recipients of an artificial heart at the age of 52. In 1985, Schroeder became the second human recipient of the Jarvik 7. The transplant was performed at Humana Heart Institute International in Louisville, Kentucky by Dr. William C. DeVries. [cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A0DE5D9153DF934A3575BC0A960948260|title=WILLIAM SCHROEDER DIES 620 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING ARTIFICIAL HEART |last=Altman|first=Lawrence K.|date=August 7, 1986|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2008-09-20] After 18 days, he suffered the first of a series of strokes, eventually leaving him in a vegetative state. He died on August 7, 1986 of a lung infection, 620 days after receiving the Jarvik 7. [cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1200/is_v130/ai_4610579|title=Schroeder's struggle lasts 620 days - artificial heart recipient William J. Schroeder|last=Kleist|first=Trina|date=1986-08-16|work=Science News|publisher=Science Service, Inc.|accessdate=2008-09-20] This was the longest that anyone has survived with an artificial heart. [cite news|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9A0DE5DB1238F933A2575BC0A960948260|title=A HERO OF MEDICINE; Schroeder, Longest User of Jarvik Device, Helped Prove Hearts Can Be Replaced |last=Altman|first=Lawrence K.|date=August 10, 1986|work=The New York Times|accessdate=2008-09-20]

The headstone marking Schroeder's grave is made of black granite in the shape of two overlapping hearts. One is laser engraved with an image of the Jarvik 7. [cite book|last=Fox|first=Renée Claire|coauthors=Judith P. Swazey|title=Spare Parts: Organ Replacement in American Society|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=1992|pages=137-139|isbn=978-0195076509]

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