Chinese doctors implant the world's smallest artificial heart in a 7-year-old boy, marking a groundbreaking milestone in pediatric heart care.
 |
| A 7-year-old Chinese boy receives a 45-gram artificial heart, the lightest in the world, in a pioneering surgery that signals new hope for pediatric heart failure. Image Courtesy: Xinhua |
WUHAN, China – April 17, 2025:
In a major breakthrough for pediatric cardiac care, a 7-year-old boy in Wuhan has become the youngest person in the world to receive the smallest and lightest artificial heart currently available. The magnetically levitated biventricular assist device was successfully implanted at Union Hospital affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology earlier this month.
The young patient, referred to as Junjun, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in May 2024 and experienced severe cardiogenic shock shortly after. Due to the lack of a matching donor heart for his O blood type, doctors opted for a newly developed artificial heart weighing just 45 grams and measuring 2.9 centimeters in diameter.
The five-hour surgery was led by cardiac surgeon Dong Nianguo and marks a significant advancement in the treatment of end-stage heart failure among children. According to hospital officials, Junjun began breathing independently the day after the operation, and his heart function continues to improve.
“Thanks to the doctors, our child now has a chance to survive and wait for a transplant,” Junjun’s father said, expressing hope for returning home once his son’s condition stabilizes.
China faces a critical shortage of donor hearts, with approximately 40,000 children hospitalized annually for severe heart failure. Only 7 to 10 percent are eligible for transplant, yet fewer than 100 pediatric heart transplants are performed each year.
To address this gap, Union Hospital partnered with Shenzhen Core Medical Technology Co., Ltd. in 2021 to develop a third-generation magnetically levitated device. The artificial heart offers multiple advantages over traditional models, including lower energy use, longer battery life, greater stability during emergency transfers, and real-time adjustable speed control tailored to a child’s circulatory needs.
“Children are not just miniature adults—they require specialized solutions,” said Dr. Dong. “This innovation gives new hope for young patients worldwide.”
Hospital president Xia Jiahong added, “China has made tremendous progress in treating end-stage heart disease, emerging as a leader in certain areas of cardiac innovation.”
The successful implantation of the device represents not only a medical milestone but a beacon of hope for families coping with pediatric heart failure worldwide.