St Vincent’s is proud to be writing a new chapter in Australian heart health history as we mark a historic moment with the success of Australia’s first-ever implant of the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart—a breakthrough in heart failure treatment and an achievement made possible by the generosity of St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’s donors.
Developed by Dr Daniel Timms, the implant took place in November 2024, led by Dr Paul Jansz. Following several weeks under observation by cardiologist, Prof Chris Hayward and his team, the patient became the first person globally to leave hospital with a fully implanted artificial heart, in February 2025.
The revolutionary device is designed as a bridge to keep patients alive until a permanent heart transplant becomes available. This new technology is expected to transform the lives of those suffering from severe heart conditions, providing hope for future advancements in cardiac care.
For 40 years, St Vincent’s Curran Foundation has supported Heart Lung Innovation, raising over $41 million in the past decade to advance cardiothoracic research, clinical trials, and groundbreaking surgery.
We would like to thank and acknowledge the generosity and visionary support of the late Lang Walker AO and Mrs Sue Walker and the Walker Family Foundation, a long standing generous anonymous donor, the Petre Foundation, Christopher Switzer, Craig Blight, and the many other supporters of the Mechanical Circulatory Support Research Program.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey – your philanthropy has transformed lives and given new hope to patients.
Find out more here.