A Game-Changing Moment in Cardiac Care: The Aeson Artificial Heart Implanted at Sheba Medical Center

In a historic achievement for both Sheba Medical Center and Israel, the world’s most advanced artificial heart, Aeson by CARMAT, was successfully implanted in a 50-year-old patient suffering from severe heart failure. This breakthrough procedure offers hope for patients awaiting heart transplants and represents a significant advancement in the treatment of heart failure.

At Sheba Medical Center, a pioneering surgery took place last week when a 50-year-old patient received the world’s most advanced artificial heart, Aeson, developed by CARMAT. The artificial heart fully replaces both ventricles, providing a life-saving solution for patients who cannot wait for a donor heart.

“This is a very special and historic day,” said Prof. Avi Morgan, Surgical Director of Sheba’s Heart Transplant and Artificial Heart Unit, as part of his interview to Ynet. The surgery was performed by Prof. Leonid Sternik, Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, together with Prof. Morgan. This innovative procedure provides a solution for patients suffering from severe heart failure, allowing them to continue living while awaiting a heart transplant.

Prof. Morgan added, “The artificial heart will keep the patient alive and improve his condition, and we hope that within 6 to 12 months he will receive a new heart.” He further emphasized that CARMAT’s long-term vision is to eventually turn the Aeson artificial heart into a real alternative for patients in need of a transplant: “I believe that with advancing technology, we will reach the day when the artificial heart will be able to serve as a replacement for heart transplantation for patients, and it will be a ‘ready-to-use’ product that we can provide to patients, and they will no longer have to wait.”

Addressing the Global Need for Heart Failure Solutions

Heart failure is a chronic condition affecting approximately 180,000 people in Israel and millions worldwide. The global prevalence of heart failure is estimated to affect around 80 to 160 million people, with a significant number of patients waiting for heart transplants. In Israel, many patients are unable to access heart transplants due to the shortage of available organs.

Prof. Morgan explained, “About 10% of patients with heart failure suffer from a condition where both ventricles do not function, and their only option is a heart transplant.” However, due to the long waiting times for transplants, many patients suffer while waiting. “Some patients are so ill that they cannot wait for a heart to become available, and they need an immediate solution,” he added. 

With the implantation of the Aeson heart, Sheba Medical Center aims to bridge the gap between the immediate need for heart failure solutions and the limited availability of donor organs. The Aeson heart is expected to serve as a “bridge” solution for patients, providing a temporary alternative until a suitable donor heart is available.

Innovation and Future Directions in Artificial Heart Technology

The Aeson artificial heart, made from PEEK (polyether ether ketone), mimics the natural function of the heart with pulsatile action. One of its key advantages is its ability to adjust the flow rate automatically based on the patient’s activity level, providing more personalized and efficient support. 

Prof. Morgan also pointed out that the Aeson heart represents a significant leap in technology compared to previous artificial hearts, which were limited by noisy motors and fixed parameters. “Since then, the only remaining option for patients suffering from heart failure in both sides of the heart was to implant an LVAD (a heart assist device intended for the left ventricle) in both ventricles,” Prof. Morgan explained.

Aeson’s innovative design, combined with its ability to simulate the natural pumping action of the heart and adjust based on body activity, sets it apart as a game-changer in the treatment of severe heart failure.

Hope for Heart Failure Patients Worldwide

As the first successful implantation of the Aeson artificial heart in Israel, this procedure is not just a milestone for Sheba but also a critical advancement for patients suffering from heart failure globally. With more than 100 implants performed worldwide, the Aeson heart has already proven itself as a reliable and effective device, offering patients hope for a longer life while awaiting a transplant.

Prof. Morgan noted, “We are very excited. Thanks to this device, we will be able to save many more patients who would otherwise die while waiting for a transplant.”

Prof. Yael Peled, Medical Director of the Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Unit at Sheba, added,

“The most innovative artificial heart solution offers relief and hope to our patients and gives them the possibility to wake up in the morning, breathe, live—even when it seems like the heart has given up. The innovative artificial heart gives time, hope, and a chance—until we find a human heart donation for our patients.”