Artificial Heart News

In a landmark achievement, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney announced the successful implantation of Australia's first BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart in November 2024. The patient, a man in his forties suffering from severe heart failure, became the first person globally to be discharged from the hospital with this device, living with it for 105 days. This marks the longest period a BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart patient has survived before receiving a donor heart transplant, which occurred in early March 2025. The BiVACOR TAH, made of titanium, features a unique design with a single moving part and magnetic levitation technology to minimize wear. While initially a bridge to transplant, the long-term goal is for it to serve as a permanent heart replacement. This successful implant, the sixth globally and the first outside the US, is part of the Monash University-led Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, supported by a $50 million Australian Government grant.

First Human Receives Magnetically Levitated Artificial Heart

Surgeons at The Texas Heart Institute in Houston successfully implanted the world's first artificial heart powered by magnetic levitation (maglev) technology in July 2024. The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, a titanium device with a single moving part suspended by magnets, was implanted in a 57-year-old man with end-stage heart failure as a bridge to transplant. The device supported the patient for eight days until a donor heart became available, and he has since recovered well. This innovative technology aims to improve durability and reduce complications associated with traditional artificial hearts.

General Information on Artificial Hearts

An artificial heart is a mechanical device designed to replace the function of a failing heart. It is distinct from ventricular assist devices (VADs), which only support a weakened heart, and cardiopulmonary bypass machines, which are external devices used temporarily during surgery.

Key Aspects of Artificial Hearts:

• Bridge to Transplant: Currently, most artificial hearts are used as a temporary measure for patients with severe heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant. They help maintain blood circulation and improve the patient's condition until a donor heart becomes available.

• Total Artificial Heart (TAH): A TAH replaces both ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart and the heart valves. It connects to the atria (upper chambers) and the major blood vessels.

• Power Source: Artificial hearts are powered by an external driver, which is typically a portable air compressor that sends air through tubes (drivelines) that exit the patient's body. Newer technologies are exploring more portable and even fully implantable power sources with wireless charging capabilities.

• Materials: Artificial hearts are made from biocompatible materials like polyurethane and titanium to minimize the risk of blood clots and rejection by the body.

• Limitations of Current Technology: Existing artificial hearts, like the SynCardia TAH, often have a fixed beat rate and may not fully respond to the body's changing needs during physical activity. They also require external power sources, limiting patient mobility and increasing the risk of infection at the driveline exit site.

Advancements in Artificial Heart Technology:

Researchers and engineers are continuously working on developing more advanced artificial hearts with the goal of creating a permanent solution for heart failure patients. Some key areas of innovation include:

• Magnetic Levitation (Maglev) Technology: As seen in the BiVACOR TAH, maglev technology suspends the pump's rotor without physical contact, reducing wear and tear and potentially improving the device's lifespan and blood compatibility.

• Continuous Flow Pumps: Newer designs are moving away from pulsatile flow (mimicking the natural heartbeat) to continuous blood flow, which can reduce the complexity and size of the device.

• Bioprosthetic Materials: Incorporating biological materials, such as in the CARMAT heart which uses bovine tissue, aims to improve hemocompatibility and reduce the need for blood-thinning medications.

• Smaller and More Portable Designs: Efforts are underway to create smaller, fully implantable artificial hearts with wireless power transfer to enhance patient mobility and quality of life.

• Smart Sensors and Software: Integrating sensors and AI algorithms to allow the artificial heart to adapt its pumping rate to the patient's activity level and physiological needs is a significant area of development.

• Soft Robotics: Researchers are exploring the use of soft, flexible materials and actuators to create artificial hearts that more closely mimic the natural movement of the human heart muscle.

While significant progress has been made, the development of a reliable and permanent artificial heart that overcomes the limitations of current technology remains a complex challenge. However, recent successes like the BiVACOR implant in Australia offer hope for the future of artificial heart therapy.