- Australian man with heart failure walks out of the hospital with BiVACOR artificial heart.
- BiVACOR is the world’s first implantable rotary blood pump for heart failure patients.
- The implant served as a bridge to a donor heart transplant, lasting over 100 days.
- Australian government invested $50 million to develop the BiVACOR device.
- BiVACOR aims to eliminate the need for donor heart transplants in the future.
An Australian man has made history as the first person to walk out of a hospital with a total artificial heart implant. This groundbreaking procedure took place at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, and it represents a significant step forward in treating heart failure, a condition that affects millions worldwide.
Developed by Dr. Daniel Timms from Queensland, the BiVACOR heart is the first rotary blood pump designed to replace a human heart. It uses magnetic levitation technology to mimic natural blood flow, which offers new hope for patients suffering from end-stage heart failure, caused by heart attacks or diabetes.
The Procedure and Recovery
A man in his 40s from New South Wales was struggling with severe heart failure. He decided to volunteer as the sixth person globally to receive the BiVACOR implant. On November 22, the six-hour surgery took place at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, led by Dr. Paul Jansz.
Following the procedure, the patient was closely monitored in intensive care for several weeks. By February, more than 100 days later, he was discharged from the hospital. Then, in early March, a donor heart became available, and he underwent the transplant. He expressed immense gratitude for the medical team’s success.
Dr. Jansz commented, “This is a groundbreaking moment for heart failure treatment. The BiVACOR device has the potential to change the lives of millions of patients worldwide.”
A New Hope for Heart Failure Patients
The BiVACOR heart serves as a bridge for patients waiting for a donor heart. It keeps them alive until a transplant becomes available. However, BiVACOR has even bigger ambitions. The company imagines a future where the artificial heart can replace the need for a transplant altogether.
Prof. Chris Hayward, a cardiologist at St Vincent’s, sees great potential in the BiVACOR device. He believes it could completely transform heart failure treatment. “Within the next decade, the BiVACOR heart could become the go-to option for patients who are unable to wait for a donor heart,” he explained.
That said, some experts remain cautious about the device’s longevity. Prof. David Colquhoun, a professor at the University of Queensland, praised the innovation. Nonetheless, he pointed out that its lifespan is still much shorter than a donor heart’s. “The BiVACOR heart lasted for more than 100 days, but a donor heart can last for more than 10 years,” he stated.
Still, Colquhoun acknowledged the BiVACOR heart’s potential to solve the critical shortage of donor hearts. This shortage leads to many patients dying while waiting for a transplant. “This technology could save countless lives, especially for patients who have no other options,” he concluded.
Government Support for Innovation
The Australian government has invested $50 million into the development of the BiVACOR device. This funding, provided through the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, aims to improve treatments for heart failure. BiVACOR is the first of many devices designed to treat common heart failures.
“By supporting this groundbreaking technology, we are helping to ensure that more people can receive life-saving treatments,” said a government spokesperson. While the BiVACOR heart is not yet a permanent solution, it offers hope to patients with limited options. In fact, this technology could revolutionize heart failure treatment in the next decade.