The life of a 63-year-old heart failure patient was saved this week thanks to the first-ever implantation in Israel of a complete artificial heart. The groundbreaking procedure was carried out at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center by an extensive medical team that included cardiologists, heart surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, operating room nurses, and heart-lung machine technicians.
The patient's diseased heart was removed entirely and replaced with a unique artificial heart made of titanium, combined with animal-derived biological tissues and advanced sensors.
The complex operation took place on Sunday and lasted seven hours. It was carried out by a large team of cardiologists, heart surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, operating room nurses, and heart-lung machine technicians. The patient's diseased heart was completely removed and replaced with a special artificial heart made of titanium, incorporating biological tissues from animals and advanced sensors.
Video: Artificial Heart Implanted at Hadassah Ein Kerem | Hadassah Ein Kerem Spokesperson
The procedure was only possible after the Hadassah team underwent specialized training in France, where they learned the implantation technique from local heart surgeons and representatives of the French company that developed the device. Upon their return to Israel, the team trained additional medical staff to prepare for the surgery.
"This is a major milestone for Israel and required extensive coordination with the patient's health maintenance organization and the Health Ministry, with full support from Hadassah's management," said Prof. Ofer Amir, senior cardiologist and head of the Heart Institute at Hadassah, who led the effort over the past several months.
After securing initial approval and funding from Clalit Health Services, the team began the dual-track preparation: training the staff and preparing the patient for the complex procedure.
The patient, a resident of central Israel, had been suffering from severe heart failure and significant breathing difficulties for years. His condition was so dire that it posed a real risk to his life while waiting for a suitable donor heart. Following extensive testing, the medical team determined that he was a suitable candidate for the artificial heart, which offers a vital solution for patients whose entire heart—both ventricles—has failed.
"Until now, advanced heart devices implanted in Israel were essentially left-ventricle assist devices, which supported only part of the natural heart. These are not suitable for patients with total heart failure," Dr. Korach explained. "This is a historic moment. For the first time, we're offering a life-saving treatment to people whose hearts have failed completely."
During the operation, the artificial heart was prepared in one operating room, with artificial valves added to the device. In a separate room, surgeons removed the patient's heart and connected him to a heart-lung machine. Once the artificial heart was ready, it was implanted and connected to the patient's main blood vessels.
Initially, the patient was supported by an ECMO machine, which performs the functions of the heart and lungs. Gradually, doctors reduced the machine's output as the artificial heart took over, eventually disconnecting the patient entirely. The artificial heart began functioning on its own.
"I felt like I was witnessing the future," said Dr. Alexander Lifay-Diamant, head of adult open-heart surgery at Hadassah, who led the procedure alongside Prof. Rabia Asleh, head of the heart failure unit; Dr. Ayman Morar, a heart surgeon; and senior anesthesiologist Dr. Stoinova Ralitsa.
"Until now, even the most advanced devices were connected to the patient's existing heart. This was the first time in Israel that a device replaced the heart entirely. Watching it beat inside the patient's chest was an incredible moment. This is the future, and it can help many patients who die while waiting for a heart transplant."
The device was developed by French company CARMAT, represented in Israel by Tzamal Medical. A heart costs 1.6 million shekels (about $430,000), and in this case was funded by Clalit, where the patient is insured.
Dr. Korach noted that the implanted heart could provide the patient with at least two years of high-quality life while awaiting a transplant.
"In retrospect, we can be proud of the carefully planned mission, executed by a large team that worked in perfect harmony to achieve success," Prof. Amir concluded. "Thanks to cardiologists, heart surgeons, perfusionists, anesthesiologists, intensive care specialists, nurses, and technicians, we've given a man who had been suffering a new lease on life."
As of January, 109 people in Israel were waiting for heart transplants, and seven were awaiting combined heart-lung transplants, according to the National Transplant Center.
