Australian scientists lead the charge toward devices that could revolutionize cardiac failure treatment
Tourists stand on rocks as they take photographs in front of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Nov 13, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)
A team of Australian scientists is leading the race to develop the world's first long-term artificial heart, an endeavor that could help drastically bring down the number of deaths from cardiac failure.
The artificial heart and two other cardiac devices are being developed by Monash University’s Artificial Heart Frontiers Program (AHFP) in Melbourne.
The implantable cardiac devices, when complete, will for the first time offer long-term hope for people waiting for heart transplants.
The devices are being described as “off-the-shelf” alternatives to organ donation. Together the highly durable devices could halve the number of deaths from heart failure and establish Australia as a world leader in the clinical trial, development, and local manufacture of cardiac medical technology.
All of this will greatly reduce the cognitive and emotional load and relentless anticipation of heart failure sufferers, especially in the absence of an imminent transplant.
Carolyn Stone, Chief of Operations at the AHFP
The research involves three devices, according to a statement from Monash University.
READ MORE: Artificial heart gets green light to go on market
One is a mini pump that can be implanted inside the heart of patients who currently have no other option for treating their heart failure symptoms. The second is a new type of left ventricle assist device (LVAD) that is implanted next to a natural heart to help it pump; and the third is a Total Artificial Heart (TAH), from Australia-US firm BiVACOR, that fully replaces a natural heart.
“All three devices use game-changing technologies that will allow them to mimic a natural heart by automatically responding to the body’s physical demands — for the first-time offering heart failure patients a treatment that helps to keep them active,” Monash said in a statement.
“These devices and support technologies will improve patient quality of life by providing more and better treatment options such as minimizing hospitalizations; and reducing physical burdens, thereby increasing patient productivity and their capacity to engage in a broader array of life activities,” Carolyn Stone, chief of operations at the AHFP, told China Daily.
“All of this will greatly reduce the cognitive and emotional load and relentless anticipation of heart failure sufferers, especially in the absence of an imminent transplant.”
READ MORE: China approves new domestically developed 'artificial heart'
Michael Simmonds, head of the Mechanobiology Research Laboratory at Griffith University, leads a team that has worked collaboratively with biomedical company BiVACOR, providing expertise that has been critical towards the regulatory approval of the key devices being tested to treat symptoms of heart failure.
“Collectively our devices will revolutionize heart failure treatment as they focus on different stages and forms of heart failure,” Simmonds told China Daily.
By 2036 the project is expected to generate A$1.8 billion benefit for Australia, including savings to the healthcare system, expansion in local research and manufacturing, the creation of more than 2,000 jobs, and providing Australians early access to clinical trials and emerging life-saving technologies
“BiVACOR's Total Artificial Heart, for example, is a complete heart replacement for a diseased heart, while the LVAD is a technology that assists in unloading a diseased heart.
“The miniature pump will focus on a form of heart failure (HFpEF) that has received limited attention from medical device developers. So, as a collective, our technologies promise to aid those with heart failure at different stages and with different forms of disease,” he said.
On Feb 20, the Australian government gave an A$50 million ($32.8 million) grant from the Medical Research Future Fund toward the “development and commercializing” of the devices.
ALSO READ: AI model helps diagnose ovarian cancer
The funding will support clinical trials at The Alfred hospital in Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
By 2036 the project is expected to generate A$1.8 billion benefit for Australia, including savings to the healthcare system, expansion in local research and manufacturing, the creation of more than 2,000 jobs, and providing Australians early access to clinical trials and emerging life-saving technologies.
“By providing for the first time an automatic physiological response, these devices will significantly improve the quality of life of patients, allowing them to complete standard daily activities without shortness of breath,” David Kaye, project co-lead and director of cardiology at The Alfred, said in a statement.
Stone from the AHFP said heart disease is the world’s leading cause of death, and that nearly one in 50 Australians lose their life due to heart failure each year.
ALSO READ: Chinese scientists propose cancer staging system revisions
“Unfortunately, heart donations in Australia are only available to about 100 to 200 patients per year,” she said.
“This means 70 to 80 percent of patients who are diagnosed with heart failure die within eight years of diagnosis. This is why the AHFP’s suite of new technologies is so necessary and groundbreaking.”
Shaun Gregory, project co-lead from Monash University’s Faculty of Engineering, said, “Central to the Frontiers Program is the creation of a complete cardiac device ecosystem in Australia encompassing research, clinical trials, commercialization and the development of new manufacturing capabilities.”
BiVACOR founder and the Australian designer of the TAH Daniel Timms said the project “brings together an unrivalled team of world-renowned clinicians and engineers with the resources of leading universities and hospitals to focus on bettering the lives of people living with heart failure”.
