A man lived for 100 days with an artificial titanium heart

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A New Heartbeat: How Australia's BiVACOR Artificial Heart Is Revolutionizing Lives

It's a reality that sounds like something out of a science fiction movie: living with a heart so frail that walking to the bathroom is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest. That was the reality for one man in his 40s from New South Wales. Severe heart failure had given him little chance of survival, never mind a normal life. However, due to a ground-breaking medical advance—the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart—he not only survived but was also the first patient in the world to be discharged from the hospital with this life-extending device.

This is more than the story of one man's survival; it's a story of hope, innovation, and the future of cardiology. Let's dive in and see how this amazing device is transforming the treatment of heart failure patients worldwide.

The Heart of the Matter: A Machine That Could Save Thousands

Heart failure is an "invisible" killer that kills around 5,000 Australians every year. It's a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood, and the patients become tired, breathless, and barely have any time to live. A heart transplant for others is their last hope, but since they don't get organ donors, it's more of a matter of running against time. Heart transplants in Australia dropped by 19% alone last year, so it is high time for alternatives.

Enter the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart—a titanium mechanical pump tiny enough to fit within a 12-year-old, yet powerful enough to keep a full-grown adult alive. Designed to replace a malfunctioning heart, this device is not just a stopgap; it's a potential permanent solution for those who don't have the luxury of time to wait for a donor heart.

The Man Behind the Machine: Daniel Timms's Lifelong Dream

The origins of the BiVACOR heart begin with Daniel Timms, a native Queenslander who was fascinated with innovation as a child. Tim spent hours on end as a kid tinkering with water pumps in his father's plumbing shop. Their trips to Bunnings, Australia's beloved hardware store, were filled with good-natured competitions to get the longest receipt. It was all in a day's work for young Daniel, not knowing that these baby steps would one day result in a life-saving invention.

Timms's motivation turned personal when his father died of heart failure. Believing he could prevent others from suffering the same, he devoted his life to developing the BiVACOR heart. His goal was not just to develop a groundbreaking device; it was to make Australians among the first to benefit from it. "Too many Australian innovations end up overseas," Timmy used to grumble. "I wanted to ensure this one stayed here.".

A Medical Milestone

First BiVACOR Implant in Australia

History was made last November at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital. Renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Paul Jansz oversaw a 6-hour operation to transplant the BiVACOR heart into the New South Wales man. The clock was ticking, and suspense hung in the air. As inventor Daniel Timms flipped the switch on the device, Dr. Jansz reported it made him feel like it gave him "goosebumps."

For the patient, the BiVACOR heart was a lifeline. He was so ill prior to the surgery that even the simplest activities were not possible. Physicians wondered whether he would survive long enough to receive a donor heart. But with the artificial heart, he not only survived but thrived, living with the device for over 100 days before a human heart became available. His successful transplant surgery was yet another milestone, as he became the first person to be discharged from the hospital in the world with the BiVACOR heart.

How Does It Work? The Science Behind the BiVACOR Heart

What is so revolutionary about the BiVACOR heart? It uses a motor with a magnetically suspended rotor, a construction that eliminates all mechanical wear and tear. This magnetic suspension means no friction between parts, and so the device is incredibly durable—so durable that it's practically impossible to fail or be rejected by the body. Dr. Jansz calls this feature "the Holy Grail" of heart failure therapy.

The device itself is compact, weighs only 650 grammes, and is powered by an external, rechargeable battery that has a life of four hours. Patients do not realise the device is within them, and a warning system alerts patients when the battery needs to be replaced. Wireless charging, as with our own mobile phones, is on the horizon to further simplify the technology for patients.

A Legacy of Innovation: St. Vincent's Hospital's Cardiac History

St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney holds a special place in Australian medical history. The country's first heart transplant was here in 1968, and the legendary Dr. Victor Chang performed the first successful one in 1984. The implantation of the BiVACOR heart continues this history of innovation, solidifying St. Vincent's position as a leader in cardiac care.

Around the world, the BiVACOR heart had been implanted in a handful of patients, four of them in the U.S., but all of them were still in the hospital with the implant. This makes the case of the Australian patient unique and a success of the craftsmanship of the medical team.

What's Next? The Future of the BiVACOR Heart

Success for the BiVACOR heart is only the start. Dr. Timms foresees the device as a routine treatment option in two to three years, with production ramping up to cater to demand. Four additional devices are to be implanted this year, and Melbourne's Alfred Hospital is gearing up for its first case in mid-2025.

For patients on wait lists awaiting transplantation, the BiVACOR heart is the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only is it a bridge to transplant, it's a ready-made long-term solution for the patients who will never get that donor heart. As cardiologist Dr. Chris Hayward of St Vincent's Hospital puts it, "This could be the answer for patients who can't wait or for whom no donor heart is available."

A Heartfelt Conclusion

The BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart is not only a medical device; it's hope for thousands of heart failure patients worldwide. From modest beginnings in a Queensland workshop to its historic implant in Sydney, this technology represents the best in human ingenuity and determination.

Looking ahead, the BiVACOR heart promises to change the face of cardiac care, offering a long-term, rejection-free alternative to traditional transplants. For people like the New South Wales man, it's not just a second chance at life—it's a chance to live life in the fullest, fearlessly.

So, cheers to the dreamers like Daniel Timms, the skilled surgeons like Dr. Paul Jansz, and the brave patients who inspire us to remember why innovation matters. Together, they're writing a new chapter in the heart health book—one heartbeat at a time.