An Australian man made history by living for 100 days with an artificial titanium heart while awaiting a donor transplant, according to a March 12 report by CNN. The patient, in his 40s, underwent surgery at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney in November 2024 and reportedly became the first person worldwide to leave the hospital with the device in February. Also read | The paradigm-shifting bloodless heart transplant Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, killing 17.
9 million people each year, according to the World Health Organisation . The artificial heart could potentially offer a long-term option for people suffering from heart failure. How the artificial heart works According to a hospital statement quoted by CNN, the artificial heart, developed by BiVACOR, is a groundbreaking device that has shown promising results in sustaining the patient's life until a donor heart becomes available.
The device is still under trial and has not yet been approved for general use. The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) reportedly has a single moving part, a levitated rotor that’s held in place by magnets. As the name suggests, it’s constructed from titanium, and there are no valves or mechanical bearings that may be susceptible to wear.
It pumps blood to the body and the lungs, replacing both ventricles of a failing heart. Why the successful trial matters This breakthrough has sparked hope for those awaiting heart transplants, and the device's inventor, Dr Danie.
