(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-12-04 10:29

LONDON -- A Briton who become the first man in the world fitted with a permanent artificial heart seven years ago has died at the age of 68, according to a BBC report on Monday.

Peter Houghton

Peter Houghton, from Edgbaston, Birmingham was fitted with the artificial pump in June 2000, died on November 25 at Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital, the BBC report said.

The cause of death was given as multiple organ failure.

Houghton, before the operation, was given only weeks to live as his own heart was working at 10 percent of normal capacity.

After his operation Houghton helped raise awareness of the treatment by taking part in charity walks. He was also involved in helping start research into using the method on children.

The revolutionary pump, the Jarvik 2000 which was given to Houghton, could be used permanently by patients.

The pump, powered by an external battery linked by a wire through the skull, used a turbine to increase the power of each heartbeat, and sat alongside the chamber of the heart which pumps blood around the body.