12.03.2025 11:01
A patient undergoing treatment for heart failure in Australia made medical history by surviving for 100 days with a completely artificial heart transplant. After the successful operation, the patient regained health with a real heart obtained from a donor.
A patient in Australia made medical history by surviving for 100 days with a transplanted artificial heart after a successful operation.
IMITATING NATURAL BLOOD FLOW
Developed by Queensland-born Dr. Daniel Timms, BiVACOR is the world's first implantable rotary blood pump. This device, which operates using magnetic levitation technology, imitates the natural blood flow of a healthy human heart and has been developed as a "bridge therapy" for patients with advanced heart failure.
AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO ORGAN DONATION
According to a report in The Guardian, more than 23 million people worldwide struggle with heart failure each year, yet only 6,000 find a suitable donor heart. BiVACOR stands out as a potential alternative solution to organ donation. The Australian government has also launched a $50 million support program to develop and commercialize this technology.
OTHER PATIENTS COULD ONLY USE IT FOR 27 DAYS
A patient in their 40s, living in New South Wales, Australia, underwent a six-hour operation at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in November 2024 to receive a BiVACOR artificial heart. In previous trials conducted in the United States, patients treated with this technology typically received a donor heart within 27 days. However, the patient in Australia made a significant record by surviving for 100 days with a completely artificial heart. The patient was discharged in February and found a suitable donor heart in March, undergoing a successful transplant operation.