Successful development of domestic artificial heart, full maglev! It brings hope

March 17: severe heart failure is known as "cancer in heart disease", and the only effective treatment is heart transplantation. There are about 15 million patients with heart failure in China, including 1.3 million to 1.5 million patients with end-stage heart failure.
In 2015, after more than 10 years of efforts, an enterprise in Suzhou independently developed the world's smallest third-generation magnetic levitation artificial heart. The artificial heart weighs less than 180 grams, is about the size of table tennis, and weighs as much as a mobile phone. This "iron knot" is affectionately known as "Chinese heart" by the medical community.
All magnetic levitation artificial heart not only fills the gap in the field of artificial heart in China, but also brings the hope of life for patients with advanced heart failure. At present, 25 clinical trials have been completed in Beijing Fuwai Hospital and Wuhan Union Medical College Hospital. But five years later, this product can only be applied to a small number of patients through clinical trials and humanitarian exemption.

The person in charge of the manufacturing enterprise told the reporter that the artificial heart is an extremely complex implantable medical device, involving a large number of interdisciplinary, inter industry and inter agency dialogue and communication. Due to the diversification of disciplines and perspectives, enterprises, medical circles and regulatory agencies will have different understandings. Experts in different fields have different views, and there is no exact time for the final commercial landing.
"I feel very comfortable and healthy now, and I've gained seven or eight pounds recently." On the afternoon of January 5, 2021, in the heart surgery center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Mr. Song, the first domestic patient with commercial artificial heart implantation, successfully recovered and discharged. Compared with living in bed only a few months ago, he can walk and take care of himself now, only with an artificial heart in his body.
According to Huang Keli, director of the heart surgery center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Mr. Song, 42 years old, was clinically diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. After standardized medical treatment, heart function continued to deteriorate, poor response to drugs, progressive decline in quality of life, life is endangered. "After careful evaluation, he is in end-stage heart failure and has a life expectancy of less than one year."

"Patients with advanced heart failure have poor quality of life and high mortality. Heart transplantation is the ultimate solution. But at present, there is a lack of donors in China, and patients often lose the chance of heart organ transplantation Huang Keli told reporters that in this context, after the evaluation of the hospital expert team, the hospital implemented the country's first commercial artificial heart (left ventricular assist system) implantation operation for this patient on November 10, 2020.
According to Huang Keli, the third generation artificial heart is currently used in China. Its core component is a magnetic levitation drive device, which weighs more than 400 grams. After connecting an artificial blood vessel, it can lead the blood from the heart to the artificial heart, and then back to the human blood vessel. "In this way, it can work instead of the human heart and let the heart rest fully."
The reporter noticed at the scene that there was also a battery device connected with Mr. Song's body. Wang Wenyan, chief physician of the heart failure center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, told reporters that it was the power supply system of the artificial heart, which was connected with Mr. Song's artificial heart through a wire through the human body.
"The power supply system can be plugged in, and there are also three batteries, each of which can maintain power for six hours. Patients must pay attention in their daily life and can't power off." Wang Wenyan said that in the future, patients must always carry the power supply system, in addition to not being able to swim, general daily activities can be completed.
Wang Wenyan said that for patients undergoing artificial heart implantation, the success of the operation is an important step, but the later rehabilitation training and training on the use of the machine are also crucial. "At present, this patient has received very systematic and comprehensive training and education, and his self-management ability has passed the examination and reached the standard."

"Artificial heart is an important and effective measure to extend the life and improve the quality of life of patients with end-stage heart failure, which can help patients recover heart function or transition to heart transplantation stage." Huang Keli said that at present, there are more than 14000 cases of artificial heart implantation in the world. But in China, the implantation of artificial heart has just started. Only a few leading cardiovascular hospitals have carried out preclinical trials of artificial heart implantation technology. The operation in Sichuan Provincial People's hospital is the first commercial artificial heart implantation in China, which is a milestone.
How much is the current price of artificial heart implantation in China?
Yang Zhenglin, the president of the people's Hospital of Sichuan Province, provided free heart surgery for more than 200000 yuan. "At present, the price of an artificial heart system in China is more than 1 million yuan."
It is reported that since 2013, Sichuan Provincial People's hospital has cooperated with the medical center of the University of Utah to start the preparation of the left ventricular assist system project. In June 2020, the heart center of the hospital cooperated with relevant enterprises to officially launch the high-tech project of artificial heart, further promoting the smooth development of end-stage heart failure treatment technology in China.
The successful recovery of the first patient with commercial artificial heart implantation in China marks that Sichuan Provincial People's hospital has become one of the few medical institutions that can independently carry out the project in China.