In a remarkable medical milestone, a man in Australia became the first person to walk out of a hospital after receiving an artificial heart implant. This achievement marks a significant moment in the world of medicine. The man lived with the BiVACOR total artificial heart for 100 days before receiving a donor heart, and doctors have called the procedure an “unmitigated clinical success.”

So, how does this artificial heart work? Invented by Australian doctor Dr. Daniel Timms, the BiVACOR heart is the first implantable blood pump that completely replaces a human heart. It uses magnetic levitation to mimic the natural blood flow of a healthy heart, making it ideal for patients with biventricular heart failure, a condition often caused by heart disease, diabetes, or a heart attack.

This breakthrough has global implications. Every year, over 23 million people suffer from heart failure, yet only around 6,000 receive a donor heart. While the BiVACOR heart only lasts about 100 days, it gives patients a crucial chance to survive until a donor heart becomes available. With advancements in heart disease treatment and prevention, this technology could save thousands of lives worldwide, offering hope to those in need of a heart transplant.

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