Patient who survived 100 days with an artificial heart makes medical history

This significant operation, performed at St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, has become a new source of hope for patients awaiting organ transplants.

The patient, in their 40s, who received a BiVACOR artificial heart transplant during a six-hour surgery in November 2024, maintained their life with this device for 100 days.

While patients in previous trials in the US were able to find a donor heart within an average of 27 days, this patient in Australia drew attention by breaking a world record.

Dr. Daniel Timms with the artificial heart device they developed Source: BIVACOR

THE WORLD'S FIRST ROTARY BLOOD PUMP

BiVACOR is a technology developed by Queensland-born Dr. Daniel Timms and is known as the world's first implantable rotary blood pump. Working on the principle of magnetic levitation, this device mimics the natural blood flow of a healthy heart, offering a bridge therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure.

While more than 23 million people worldwide struggle with heart failure each year, only 6 thousand people are able to find a suitable donor. For this reason, BiVACOR is considered an important alternative for patients waiting for an organ transplant. The Australian government has also provided 50 million dollars in investment support for the development of this technology.

The patient, who was discharged from the hospital in February, underwent a real heart transplant after a suitable donor was found in March and has since recovered.

Prof. Paul Jansz, who performed the operation, described this development as the reward for years of effort, while Prof. Chris Hayward stated that artificial heart technology would revolutionize the treatment of heart failure.

News Source: 12punto