Vietnam successfully transplants 3rd generation partial artificial heart for the first time

In March 2025, female patient HTX (46 years old, Thanh Hoa ) was admitted to 108 Military Central Hospital and diagnosed with severe heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF only 19%) due to dilated cardiomyopathy, combined with dangerous complications such as old cerebral infarction and right subclavian artery occlusion.

The patient said he was diagnosed with end-stage heart failure and had been treated with many medications for many years, but his condition did not improve. The patient had acute shortness of breath and a large amount of pleural effusion and had to be hospitalized for emergency care.

The patient was consulted both domestically and internationally and was prescribed a third-generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the latest generation to replace the left side of the heart.

The surgery was performed by doctors at the 108 Military Central Hospital, under the guidance of Professor Jan D. Schmitto - President of the European Society of Mechanical Circulation, a world- leading expert. He was also the first person in the world to successfully implant an LVAD-Heart Mate3 to treat end-stage heart failure in 2014. After 11 years, the patient is still living normally.

The surgery took 4 hours. After 2 weeks of implantation, the patient was able to walk and perform personal activities completely stably and was being instructed in professional care procedures to prepare for discharge.

According to Dr. Dang Viet Duc, Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Institute, 108 Central Military Hospital, the third generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD-Heart Mate3) is one of the most advanced and high-tech techniques in the field of cardiology, especially in the treatment of patients with severe heart failure. With the ability to support and replace the pumping function of the left ventricle, the device will improve blood flow to organs in the body, helping patients maintain a normal life.

Heart failure is the final stage of cardiovascular disease, with the highest mortality rate in the world, higher than cancer and stroke. About 50% of heart failure patients do not live more than 5 years after being diagnosed by a doctor. For patients with end-stage heart failure, this number is even higher, with an average life expectancy of about 6-12 months, and a mortality rate of > 75% after 1 year.

The success of the first 3rd generation partial artificial heart transplant in Vietnam has opened up opportunities for thousands of patients with end-stage heart failure. This success marks an important turning point in the field of cardiovascular surgery in the country, affirming the country's solid professional capacity and investment strategy, and correct direction in developing high technology.

There have been tens of thousands of successful cases of partial artificial heart transplantation in the world in general and the Heartmate 3 device in particular. Many patients have lived up to 15 years and now LVAD is not only a bridge for patients waiting for heart transplants but can also be a target treatment for patients with heart failure.

Minh Trang

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/lan-dau-viet-nam-ghep-thanh-cong-tim-nhan-tao-ban-phan-the-he-thu-3-post545215.html