The King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center (KACC) at King Abdulaziz Medical City of Jeddah has made history by successfully carrying out the first ever SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart transplant in Saudi Arabia. The beneficiary of this ground-breaking transplant is a 28-year-old Saudi patient, whose condition was considered one of the most complicated cases.
The patient had been suffering from severe weakness in the heart muscle, and his health condition did not allow the use of standard methods such as Berlin Heart or HeartMate, which mechanically support the hearts of patients with end-stage heart failure. A heart transplant from a donor was also not an option due to multiple and complex medical reasons. In this situation, the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) was the only possible solution.
The SynCardia TAH-t is the world's only clinically proven and commercially approved Total Artificial Heart, which has been in clinical use for over 35 years. When a donor heart is not an available option, it can provide a new temporary heart while waiting for a transplant. However, complete artificial heart transplant is considered one of the most complex therapeutic procedures in the world, requiring high proficiency, vast experience, and extraordinary skills of the medical staff, as well as capabilities and equipment at the latest level.
The King Abdulaziz Cardiac Center (KACC) is known for its qualified Saudi staff and is one of the leading centers in the Middle East for contemporary cardiac care. It has comprehensive programs for managing an entire spectrum of cardiac diseases for all ages. The KACC is also an internationally accredited center that provides a complete range of high-quality clinical, educational, and research activities.
Thanks to the expertise and dedication of the KACC's medical staff, the 28-year-old Saudi patient is now in stable condition and is undergoing rehabilitation and careful medical follow-up. This historic achievement is a testament to the commitment of Saudi Arabia's healthcare system to providing innovative and life-saving treatments for its citizens. The successful SynCardia total artificial heart transplant has opened up new possibilities for patients with complicated heart conditions, offering hope where there was previously none.
