‘Whole new ball game for heart transplants’: Australian man survives 100 days with artificial titanium heart | Health News

An Australian man has made medical hory surviving for 100 days with an artificial titanium heart. The medical team behind the procedure declared it an “unprecedented clinical success” on Wednesday, following the man’s survival with the implant for over 100 days before undergoing a donor heart transplant in early March.
He is the first person to leave the hospital with the BiVACOR device, which serves as a temporary solution for people with heart failure. While previous recipients remained under constant medical supervision, this case marks a major breakthrough in understanding how patients adapt to the device outside a hospital setting.
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The man, now recovering after a successful heart transplant, is the sixth person globally to receive the BiVACOR heart but the first to live with it for over a month. According to The Guardian, Prof Chris Hayward, a cardiolog at St Vincent’s who led the observation of the man in after a few weeks in the intensive care unit, said, “The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart ushers in a whole new ball game for heart transplants, both in Australia and internationally.” He added, “Within the next decade we will see the artificial heart becoming the alternative for patients who are unable to wait for a donor heart or when a donor heart is simply not available.”
This milestone could pave the way for broader use of artificial hearts. However, questions remain about the long-term viability of such technology, its cost, and the quality of life it offers.
The future of artificial hearts
Dr CM Nagesh, General Secretary of the Indian College of Cardiology, tells that the BIVACOR total artificial heart (TAH) is a breakthrough in cardiac technology. “While currently a bridge to transplant, its potential as a long-term solution is promising, especially for patients ineligible for transplants. Its rotary pump reduces mechanical wear, but long-term studies on durability and complications are needed. Future advancements in battery life, portability, and materials could make it a viable permanent option.”

Challenges of living with an artificial heart
Despite advancements, artificial heart patients face mobility and lifestyle challenges. “Devices like BIVACOR require external power sources, limiting physical activity and travel,” says Dr Nagesh. “There’s also a risk of infection at connection points and a need for constant monitoring to prevent clotting. Psychological adjustments, adapting to a mechanical heartbeat, and regular medical follow-ups are crucial for patients.”
Making artificial hearts accessible
With heart failure affecting millions and donor shortages persing, artificial hearts could be a game-changer. “However, widespread accessibility depends on cost, infrastructure, and regulatory approvals,” explains Dr Nagesh. “Currently, these devices are expensive and require specialized expertise, limiting access. Research should focus on cost reduction, simplified procedures, and long-term reliability. Increased healthcare investment, especially in countries like India, is essential to make this technology widely available.”Story continues below this ad
A revolutionary milestone
The survival of an Australian patient for 100 days with a titanium artificial heart is a landmark achievement in cardiac medicine. “This case demonstrates that mechanical hearts can provide meaningful survival periods while awaiting transplants, paving the way for further innovation in long-term solutions,” notes Dr Nagesh.
In India, he adds, where heart disease is a leading cause of mortality and donor shortages pers, such technology could be revolutionary. However, challenges such as affordability, accessibility, and training of specialised cardiac surgeons need to be addressed. If artificial heart technology can be made more cost-effective and adaptable to Indian healthcare settings, it could provide a crucial lifeline to thousands of patients suffering from end-stage heart failure.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.