SYDNEY, Australia - An Australian man has etched his name in medical history as the first person globally to walk out of the hospital with a total artificial heart implant. This groundbreaking achievement was unveiled by researchers and doctors on March 6, 2025, when the man, who is in his 40s, received this cutting-edge device as part of his treatment for severe heart failure, and then transitioned successfully to donor heart transplantation.
The remarkable feat took place at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, where the patient lived with the titanium-made BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart for over 100 days prior to the transplant. This duration marks the longest anyone has survived with such an artificial heart before receiving a human donor heart.
Professor Chris Hayward, the cardiologist who led the operation, called it “an unmitigated clinical success” and emphasized its potential to transform heart transplantation. “This will usher in a whole new ball game for heart transplants, both in Australia and internationally,” he stated, signifying the significance of this development.
The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, developed by Dr. Daniel Timms and his team, integrates a novel design featuring a single moving part powered by magnetic levitation, which allows for smoother blood flow. The device replaces both the left and right ventricles and is small enough to allow easy maintenance of daily activities. This innovative heart weighs approximately 650 grams, making it manageable for patients, and it is powered by external rechargeable batteries.
“Being able to function normally with this device was remarkable,” shared Dr. Timms, adding, “The unique design and features of the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart translate to unmatched safety, and the Bravery of the patient and his family will pave the way for future use.”
The surgery itself was performed on November 22, 2024, taking over six hours. After the procedure, the patient spent several weeks under close observation before being discharged from the hospital in early February 2025. “If this works well, then this will continue to be implanted in more patients,” Timms remarked, hoping this technology becomes more widespread.
Despite its promise, challenges remain as heart failure accounts for 18 million deaths annually worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. The demand for donor hearts far exceeds supply, with only about 6,000 suitable hearts available each year for the millions suffering from heart disease.
Dr. Paul Jansz, the surgeon who led the operation, described the device’s introduction as “a complete game-changer,” asserting, “It’s a device solving many issues we have with mechanical circulatory support.” With evidence already pointing toward the BiVACOR’s immediate applicability, stakeholders see it as potentially eliminating the dependency on donor hearts altogether.
This event opens the door to new horizons for patients currently waiting for transplants. Professor Hayward expressed optimism, predicting, “Within the next decade, we will see the artificial heart becoming the alternative for patients who are unable to wait for donor hearts or when donors aren't available.”
Looking forward, this successful implantation also sets the stage for the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program, healthcare research led by Melbourne’s Monash University. Supported by the Australian federal government and its $50 million Medical Research Future Fund, this initiative aims to cultivate more cardiac innovations, striving to develop additional life-saving devices.
The project has allocated $17.5 million exclusively to the BiVACOR trial, indicating the government's commitment to fostering cardiac health technology. “Over the next three years and beyond, the consortium will advance world-leading research to develop TAH and related devices,” Monash University’s Vice Chancellor, Sharon Pickering, announced.
Nonetheless, experts stress patience is key. While the achievement is groundbreaking, Dr. David Colquhoun from the University of Queensland advised there is still much work to do before this technology can be widely available. “There is still a long way to go,” he noted, emphasizing the need for continued research to bring effective cardiac health solutions to the populace.
The successful transition from artificial heart to donor heart not only marks progress for this patient and his community but also sets the tone for future cardiac innovations, ensuring hope for those challenged by heart disease.