King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Jeddah has successfully implanted a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) — the first of its kind in the Western Region — for a 53-year-old male patient who was suffering from advanced heart failure accompanied by critical symptoms, including loss of consciousness and kidney dysfunction. Due to his ineligibility for heart transplantation and the anticipated long wait time related to his blood group (O), the LVAD procedure emerged as the most appropriate and life-saving intervention to stabilize his condition.
The patient had been suffering from advanced heart failure, characterized by critical symptoms including loss of consciousness and kidney dysfunction. He had exhausted conventional treatment options. He was ineligible for heart transplantation and faced extended wait times due to his blood type (O). The medical team identified LVAD implantation as the most appropriate intervention to save his life and stabilize his condition.
Given the complexity of the intervention, the patient underwent a comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team that comprised specialists in heart failure, cardiac surgery, anesthesia, and critical care. Following this thorough assessment, the team proceeded with the LVAD implantation as a rescue therapy. The procedure was successful, and the patient was discharged without complications. This outcome underscores the hospital’s readiness and the medical team's expertise in managing high-complexity cases.
This achievement represents a significant advancement in treating patients with advanced heart failure—a condition marked by severely reduced cardiac output, shortness of breath, poor quality of life, and high morbidity and mortality. The LVAD serves either as a long-term treatment option or as a bridge to transplantation, offering patients the opportunity to stabilize their condition and improve both quality of life and survival.
The procedure was performed under the Durable Mechanical Circulatory Support Program at KFSHRC in Jeddah, which aims to expand access to advanced heart failure treatments for a broader population. The program also helps reduce the need for patients to travel to receive specialized care, thereby easing the emotional and financial burden on patients and their families.
It is noteworthy that King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa—and 15th globally—on the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centers for 2025. It was also recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East by Brand Finance in 2024 and was listed among the World’s Best Smart Hospitals by Newsweek for 2025.