Saudi Arabia Performs World’s First Robotic-Assisted Artificial Heart Implantation

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has successfully performed the world’s first robotic-assisted implantation of an artificial heart pump, the HeartMate 3, developed by Abbott. This groundbreaking procedure represents a major leap forward in medical technology and patient care.

The HeartMate 3 LVAD (left ventricular assist device) is implanted into the chest, where it helps pump blood from the left ventricle, the lower left heart chamber, to the rest of the body. A controller unit and battery pack are worn outside the body and are connected to the LVAD through a small opening in the skin.

The surgery was performed on a 35-year-old man who had been hospitalized for 120 days due to advanced heart failure, which had also caused deterioration in his kidney and lung function. Thanks to this innovative surgical procedure, the patient is now expected to return home to his family soon.

The surgery was led by Dr. Feras Khaliel, head of cardiac surgery and director of the hospital’s Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program. Remarkably, the patient spent only four days in the intensive care unit, compared to the 26-day average for similar procedures using traditional methods. Recovery time is also expected to be significantly shorter, with discharge expected within 10 days instead of the usual 63 days for conventional interventions.

Dr. Khaliel highlighted the precision and safety of robotic-assisted surgery, noting that the patient experienced no infections or bleeding during or after the operation. "The patient was amazed at the minimal scarring, reflecting the advanced capabilities of robotic technology," he said.

This success adds to KFSHRC’s growing reputation for pioneering medical breakthroughs, which already include the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant and robotic liver transplantation. These achievements continue to solidify KFSHRC’s position as a global leader in specialized healthcare innovation.