Chinese surgeons has successfully implanted a domestically developed magnetically levitated artificial heart into a 5 years old child, setting a global record for the youngest and lightest patient to receive this advanced dual-ventricular assistance device.
The groundbreaking nine-hour surgery was performed on August 20, 2025 at the Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in Jiangsu Province, in collaboration between renowned cardiac specialists Mo Xuming and Liu Xiaocheng.
The patient, weighing just 13 kilograms, had been diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy three years ago and experienced a severe deterioration in July, 2025 that threatened her life.
The hospital stated in the press release: "Given the extreme scarcity of donor hearts for young children, the medical team opted for the dual-ventricular artificial heart implant as a bridge to transplantation."
Remarkably, the child resumed normal eating and could walk short distances just one week post-operation.
The specially developed pediatric device weighs only 70 grams per pump and features low hemolysis and high biocompatibility, making it particularly suitable for young children.
The Chinese-developed implantable device represents a significant advancement over existing external support systems like the Berlin Heart EXCOR, which often restrict mobility and increase infection risks.