A 40-year-old Australian man was given a titanium heart that helped him survive for more than 100 days.
Imagine ripping open a person's chest, taking out his heart and then replacing it with a mechanical heart. It sounds like something out of a science fiction film. But it can only be called a miracle of science that this dream-like thing has come true. A man from Australia was given a heart made of titanium in a similar way. That man lived for 100 days with the help of this mechanical heart, which is a record in itself.
The identity of this person has been kept confidential. His age is said to be around 40 years. He became the first patient to receive an artificial heart during an operation at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in November 2023.
The patient, who was suffering from severe heart failure, was kept alive by a special type of blood pump called BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, which is made of titanium. This artificial heart kept him alive until he received a donor heart last week.
This mechanical heart is still being tested.
According to a statement issued by Sydney's St Vincent Hospital, Monash University and BiVACOR (the US-Australian company that made this artificial heart), the patient's condition is stable and he is recovering rapidly.
According to doctors and scientists, this artificial heart can become a long-term solution for heart patients. However, it is still in the testing phase and is not available to the general public. Dr. Paul Jansz, a cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon who performed the surgery, called it a “game-changer” (revolutionary technology).
How does this mechanical heart work?
The BiVACOR artificial heart uses Magnetic Levitation Technology, similar to the technology used in high-speed trains.
It functions to pump blood to the body and lungs, replacing both ventricles of the heart.
It has only one moving part – a rotating rotor, which is balanced with the help of magnets.
It is made of titanium and has no valves or mechanical bearings, making it more durable and effective.
It is suitable for both men and women and is capable of providing adequate blood flow to an exercising person.
Trial has also been done in America
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted the initial trial of this artificial heart on five patients in the US between July and November 2023. However, all those patients were discharged from the hospital after transplantation.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year around 18 million people around the world lose their lives due to heart diseases. In such a situation, the BiVACOR artificial heart can prove to be effective in saving the lives of millions of people in the future.
PC:News18
