Partial artificial heart - a solution for those waiting for a heart transplant
In March 2025, female patient H.T.X (46 years old) was admitted to the 108 General Hospital. Here, doctors diagnosed patients with severe decreased blood flow efficiency (EF is only 19%) due to expanded myocardial disease, combined with dangerous complications such as old cerebral infarction and clogged arteries under the right punch.
The patient has been consulted both domestically and internationally and prescribed a third-generation left-sided amputation support device, the latest generation, to replace the left function of the heart.
The device acts as a mechanical pump, blood pump from the heart to the aorta, with a special structure and mechanism that optimizes the blood pump out, while minimizing the risk of thrombosis, hemolysis; The device has a wire connected to the outside battery. The device has been shown to extend the time and quality of life for people who are late in the stage.
The surgery was performed by doctors at 108 Central Military Hospital and under the guidance of Prof. Jan D. Schmitto - President of the European Mechanical Circulation Association, world-leading expert, the first person in the world to successfully transplant LVAD- Heart Mate3 to treat a terminal heart failure in 2014, after 11 years the patient is still living normally.
The surgery was performed in 4 hours. After 2 weeks of the transplant, the patient's personal activities have been completely stable and he is being guided through professional care procedures to be ready for discharge.
According to Dr. Dang Viet Duc - Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Institute, 108, Central General Hospital, 3rd generation left-sided amputation support equipment (LVAD- Heart Mate3) is one of the most advanced techniques, the highest technique in the field of cardiology, especially in the treatment of patients with severe heart failure.
With the ability to support and replace the blood pumping function of the left left brim, the device will improve blood flow to organs in the body, helping patients maintain normal life.
New hope for patients with end-stage heart failure
Heart attack is the final stage of cardiovascular disease, with the highest mortality rate in the world, higher than both cancer and stroke. About 50% of patients with heart failure do not live past 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, a mortality rate of > 75% after 1 year.
Previously, the amputation support device was used as a method of treating heart failure to help prolong the life of patients with heart failure while waiting for a suitable heart transplant opportunity; the first successful TTAD - Heart Mate3 transplant device at 108 Central General Hospital has outstanding features, proven by international multi-center studies with a life rate of > 5 years up to 76%; this is the only amputation support device in the world that is currently recognized by the Cardiovascular Associations as a long-term treatment solution for no transplant heart.
This proves that LVAD - Heart Mate3 is not only a support solution, but is also an indispensable part of modern medical advances, contributing to saving lives and improving the quality of life for many patients with cardiovascular disease.
This success opens up opportunities for thousands of people with end-stage heart failure because they only have to wait for a heart transplant to continue living. And although the source of donated organs has improved, it is still very small compared to the number of people waiting for transplants.
TWQD 108 Hospital is the first Hospital in Vietnam currently allowed to perform the technical regulation on placing left-sided support equipment in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health and the Department of Military Medicine/Ministry of National Defense.