World's First Successful 100-Day Survival with Titanium Heart
Sydney, Friday, 14 March 2025.
An Australian man has lived for over 100 days with a BiVACOR artificial titanium heart, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care as a temporary solution for transplant patients.
Groundbreaking Medical Achievement
In a landmark development at St. Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, the implant surgery was performed in November 2024, leading to the patient’s discharge in February 2025 - the first-ever instance of a patient leaving the hospital with this device [1]. The patient, a man in his forties, successfully received a donor heart transplant on March 6, 2025, after living with the artificial heart for 105 days [2]. The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart represents a significant technological advancement, featuring a single moving part - a magnetically suspended rotor that propels blood throughout the body [3].
Addressing a Critical Healthcare Gap
The innovation comes at a crucial time, as heart failure affects more than 23 million people worldwide annually, with only 6,000 donor hearts available each year [4]. In the United States alone, nearly 7 million adults live with heart failure, while only about 4,500 heart transplants were performed in 2023 [3]. The BiVACOR device, developed by biomedical engineer Daniel Timms, operates as a continuous pump that could potentially experience fewer mechanical issues compared to traditional heart assist devices [3].
Future Implications and Expansion
The successful trial has prompted the FDA to expand its early feasibility study to include 15 additional patients [5]. The Artificial Heart Frontiers Program at Monash University, supported by a 50 million AUD budget, is planning a series of implants to further develop heart failure treatment solutions [2]. According to Professor Chris Hayward from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, this technology could become a viable alternative for patients unable to wait for donor hearts within the next decade [4].
Technical Innovation and Patient Impact
The BiVACOR device’s design represents a significant advancement over existing mechanical heart devices. Unlike traditional devices that support only the left side of the heart and rely on blood-pooling sacks, the BiVACOR’s titanium construction and magnetic levitation system offer potential for greater durability [3]. Engineers anticipate that within five to six years, the heart’s electronics will be fully implantable, with charging achieved through electromagnetic induction - a process described by inventor Daniel Timms as being ‘like charging an iPhone’ [4].