Beth

King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre in Riyadh has achieved a significant medical milestone, marking the first of its kind globally, by performing the world’s first robotic-assisted artificial heart pump implantation (HeartMate 3) on a 35-year-old patient. The patient had been hospitalized for 120 days due to advanced heart failure, followed by kidney and lung failure. Thanks to this innovative surgical procedure, the young man will now be able to realize his dream of returning to his home and family.

The groundbreaking procedure, carried out by an experienced medical team in robotic surgery led by Dr. Firas Khalil, Consultant and Head of the Cardiac Surgery Department at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, demonstrated a reduction in the side effects of the traditional open-heart surgery, including smaller incisions and less scarring on the patient’s body. It also resulted in fewer complications and less strain on the body, leading to a significantly shorter stay in the intensive care unit, which lasted only four days, compared to an average of 26 days for similar surgeries using traditional methods that require a large chest incision and longer recovery time. The robotic surgery is expected to enable the patient to leave the hospital within ten days.

His Excellency Dr. Majed Al-Fayyad, CEO of the hospital, praised this achievement, emphasizing that this global first strikes a balance between bold innovation and strict safety measures, ensuring the delivery of groundbreaking medical solutions that redefine what is possible in healthcare. He also noted that this milestone reinforces the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in medical innovation.

The patient did not experience any infection or bleeding during or after the surgery, reflecting the high precision offered by robotic surgery, which contributes to a safer treatment experience and significantly enhances the quality of care and the patient’s overall experience. The patient expressed relief and astonishment upon awakening and seeing the small incisions from the procedure.

This achievement is part of a series of successes by King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, further cementing its global reputation in robotic surgery. Just months ago, the hospital performed the world’s first full heart transplant using robotic surgery, an event widely covered by local and international media, and also achieved the world’s first robotic liver transplant, demonstrating the hospital's commitment to offering cutting-edge medical solutions and maintaining its leadership in providing world-class specialized healthcare.

This achievement is a result of the Health Sector Transformation Program, one of the initiatives under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may Allah protect him, and stands as a testament to the high quality of healthcare services provided to citizens in the Kingdom.