A new era in artificial heart surgery
The cardiac surgery team at Heidelberg University Hospital has for the first time successfully implanted fully artificial hearts, the Aeson by Carmat, into two patients. Unlike mechanical assist devices that support a failing biological heart, these systems completely replace it. In these cases, the heart muscle no longer pumps blood; instead, a robotic marvel has taken over, with only a power cable emerging from the patients’ abdomens.
Critically ill heart failure patients often face a long wait for donor organs, averaging six months for those in the most urgent categories. For many, this delay is too long. To address this, Heidelberg’s cardiac surgery team implanted the latest generation of CarmatAeson artificial hearts into two patients in 2024. Both patients, aged 51 and 58, have recovered well from their surgeries.
Advanced design mimics the natural heart
The CarmatAeson mimics natural heart function using a hydraulic pump that produces a pulsating blood flow. Built-in sensors continuously monitor blood pressure and adjust the pumping rate to match the body’s demands. Biomembranes and heart valves made from bovine tissue minimize blood clot formation, reducing the need for strong anticoagulants. The device, slightly larger and three times heavier than a natural heart, is surgically inserted into the chest and stitched to the heart’s major blood vessels and atria. After the chest is closed, a cable exits the abdomen to connect to external batteries carried in a 4-kilogram bag that can be worn as a backpack or sling. These batteries last six to seven hours and require regular charging. The Carmat heart is approved for six months, but some patients have used it for longer. Of 52 people implanted with the device since 2022, 20 have already received donor hearts.
Prof. Dr. Anna Meyer, head of the transplant and mechanical circulatory support program at Heidelberg University Hospital, explains how the artificial heart works using an X-ray image. It is larger than a normal heart, so before the operation, a 3D reconstruction from the computer tomography data is used to check whether the heart robot fits into the chest.
Patient experiences
The surgeries were highly complex but remarkably successful. Both patients recovered quickly, regaining independence, and showing significant improvements in liver, kidney, and intestinal functions that had deteriorated due to poor circulation from their severe heart failure.
One patient, whose heart function had dropped to just 15% due to an autoimmune condition, described the device as life-changing: “I don’t feel the artificial heart, though getting used to the noise took a few nights.” He had previously been bedridden for weeks, relying on an external machine to oxygenate his blood. Following the surgery, he began walking with a rollator and now looks forward to rebuilding his strength through rehabilitation.
Whether the device will see broader use depends on how the Heidelberg patients’ progress. The team remains optimistic, noting the rapid recovery and regeneration of other organ systems.
The Department of Cardiac Surgery at Heidelberg University Hospital
Heidelberg University Hospital, ranked 15th among the World’s Best Hospitals according to the Newsweek 2024 ranking, is renowned for its specialized clinical care across all fields of medicine. Its world-class research and teaching activities ensure continuous progress and the most up-to-date patient care.
The Department of Cardiology ranked 19th among the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals in 2025. The Cardiac Surgery is an integral part of the world-renowned Heidelberg Heart Center. Over more than five decades, it has developed a strong focus on minimally invasive adult cardiac procedures, thoracic aortic surgery and pediatric cardiac surgery. The team of cardiologists and surgeons care for patients from all over the world who are looking for the optimal treatment option, whether interventional with catheters or minimally invasive surgery. The team, led by the Medical Director of the Department of Cardiology, Professor Dr. Matthias Karck, performs more than 1,600 major heart surgeries annually. In 2023, 22 heart transplants were carried out, and 135 patients were treated with mechanical heart support systems.
Implantable artificial heart applied for national and international patients
National and international patients in need of complete/partial artificial heart have access to this innovative surgery and could benefit from it. At the department of Cardiac Surgery, a procedure was recently successfully performed on an Egyptian patient, who received a durable left ventricular assist device.
Services for international patients
- Multilingual international team
- Telemedicine
- Certified interpreters
- Support in obtaining a medical visa
Contact
Heidelberg University Hospital Medical International Office
International.Office@med.uni-heidelberg.de
www.heidelberg-university-hospital.com
