The world's most advanced artificial heart has been embedded in Israel

In a groundbreaking procedure on Thursday morning, Tel Hashomer's Sheba Medical Center implanted the world's most advanced artificial heart, developed by French medical device company Carmat. Aeson Heart completely replaced the patient himself, marking a historic moment in Israeli medicine.

“This is a very special and historic day,” said Professor Avi Morgan, Surgery Director of Shiva's Heart and Artificial Heart Transplant Unit, in an interview with YNET. The atmosphere outside the operating room 9, in the heart, chest and blood vessels of Sheva, was electricity.

“An artificial heart keeps the patient alive and improves his condition. We hope he will receive the donor's heart within 6-12 months,” Morgan said. He added that the long-term vision is for Esson heart to become a viable alternative to transplantation. “We believe that with advances in technology, artificial hearts can ultimately become ready-made products.

Heart failure affects 1% to 2% of the world's population. This is an estimated 80 million to 160 million. In Israel, approximately 180,000 people suffer from this situation. Treatment exists, but patients with advanced, unmanageable heart failure often have one option left: implantation. However, the global shortage of donor organs means that many people will not survive the wait.

The new device was implanted in patients whose left and right sides of the heart were unable to function. “Around 10% of heart failure patients face this condition and for them, implantation is often the only option,” Morgan said. However, with too few transplants performed annually in Israel, more and more patients are in urgent need for alternatives.

Previously, patients with a left-sided malfunction were able to receive a mechanical pump known as LVAD. This supported circulation by drawing blood from the left ventricle and passing through the aorta. However, for those with right and left side failures, the only workaround is to embed two separate LVADs. This is an option that was originally not designed for double-room use for patients and is logistically challenging.

Made from a high-performance polymer called Peek (polyether ether ketone), the newly implanted Esson heart mimics the rhythmic contractions (pulsatile) of the natural heart and is designed to adapt in real time to the physical activity of the patient.

“An artificial heart adapts to patient activity. We know that if he is awake or cycling, it pumps faster,” explained Yaniv Bakish, clinical support manager at Cemal Medical, the Israeli importer of technology.

The heart contains four valves and membranes made from biological materials, reducing the risk of blood clots. This is a common complication in early models. Old artificial hearts are bulky, noisy and prone to complications. Due to the high failure rate, one previous model was drawn from the market.

In this procedure, which lasted approximately 6 hours, the patient's heart was removed and replaced by an Aeson device. The patient gradually left the patient after the new heart was fully operational, as it was initially connected to the heart lung machine. The system is externally monitored via a tablet and controlled by a small external power cable, the only component outside the body. Connect it to a portable battery or household power source at night.

To prepare for the procedure, Shiva's port team trained in Paris with Carmat Engineers. Alongside the Sheba surgical team, Carmat and Cemal Medical specialists were in the operating room.

So far, over 100 Eson Heart implants have been performed worldwide. According to Morgan, some patients use the device and live for up to two years. Currently, artificial hearts are approved as “bridge to transplantation.” This is a temporary solution until donor organs become available.

Morgan not only addressed organ shortages, but also highlighted Esson's heart safety compared to traditional transplants. “A implanted heart poses a risk of rejection. With an artificial heart, that risk is not present,” he said. Heart transplant recipients also require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, which can weaken the immune system and lead to serious infections and death.

“We are deeply moved,” concluded Morgan. “This device can save many patients who end up dying after being implanted.”

Professor Yael Peled, medical director of Sheba's Heart Transplant Unit, added: “This innovative technology offers patients healing and hope, giving them the opportunity to wake up, breathe and live.