According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 300 million individuals around the world are suffering from heart disease, resulting in approximately 17 million deaths each year. Additionally, around two billion people are at risk of developing heart disease. This alarming statistic emphasizes just how fatal and common heart diseases can be and highlights the need for developments in the area of cardiology, not only calling for innovative treatments but also the implementation of new technologies in healthcare.
Recently, in Texas, USA, surgeons discovered a groundbreaking treatment method for extreme heart diseases. Using the same concept as high-speed magnetic levitation, they completed the first transplant of an advanced mechanical artificial heart, designed by BIVACOR. The magnetic levitation method allows an object to be suspended by only using magnetic fields.
The transplant was performed on a patient suffering from severe heart failure. Through this transplant, the surgeons aimed to buy some time for the patient while waiting for an actual heart transplant. The artificial heart is constructed from durable titanium with no valves but rather a pump with a single moving part that supplies blood to the lungs and the rest of the body, acting as a substitute for the failing heart. The artificial heart is announced to be suitable for both men and women. It can pump 12 liters of blood per
hour, equivalent to the cardiac output of an exercising adult male. The levitation technology prevents the moving piece of the pump from coming into contact with any other surface, eliminating surface friction and mechanical wear, resulting in a more durable and long-lasting artificial heart. It also minimizes trauma, offering a reliable and biocompatible heart replacement because of its "pipes” which are large enough for blood flow. The entire device is controlled and powered by a small external controller that comes out of the stomach.
The patient lived with the artificial heart for eight days before undergoing a successful heart transplant. Since the first trial was successful, the trials will now expand to include four additional patients, further exploring the potential of this technology. The United States National Institutes of Health anticipates that this advancement can benefit up to a hundred thousand patients in the future, transforming the landscape of cardiac care and offering hope to those facing severe heart conditions, especially those who are waiting for organ transplants.
While these advancements paved the way for the first successful BIVACOR artificial heart transplant, it was not the first artificial heart transplant ever. The first permanent artificial heart was transplanted into a 61-year-old patient named Barney Clark in 1982 by surgeons at the University of Utah. However, the recipient died 112 days after the transplant. Following this failure, there were many more attempts to create an artificial heart. Some were more successful compared to older models and efficient on a superficial level; however, they all ended up being either short-lasting or only compatible with certain types of heart failure. As trials expand to additional patients, the promise of this technology could revolutionize cardiac care, providing vital support to those awaiting transplants and potentially improving outcomes for countless individuals suffering from heart disease. This achievement serves as a reminder of the critical need for innovation in healthcare and the relentless pursuit of solutions to combat the global heart disease epidemic.