Hanoi (VNA) - The 108 Military Central Hospital on April 12 announced that its medical team had successfully performed Vietnam’s first implantation of a third-generation partial artificial heart device (LVAD – HeartMate 3). This landmark achievement brings Vietnam’s medical capabilities closer to those of advanced healthcare systems worldwide.
In March 2025, 46-year-old H.T.X from Thanh Hoa province was diagnosed with severe heart failure (with an ejection fraction of only 19%) due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Her condition was further complicated by a previous stroke and a blocked right subclavian artery.
The patient had lived with end-stage heart failure for many years and had undergone the best available drug therapies, yet her health had continued to deteriorate. She suffered from acute shortness of breath and recurrent pleural effusion, often requiring emergency hospitalisation.
Following extensive consultations with both domestic and international experts, the patient was deemed a suitable candidate for the implantation of a third-generation Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD). This cutting-edge mechanical pump supports the left side of the heart, pumping blood from the heart to the aorta. Its advanced design reduces the risk of blood clots and haemolysis and is powered by an external battery via a connecting cable. Clinical studies have shown that LVADs significantly extend both the lifespan and quality of life for patients with advanced heart failure.
The operation was carried out by doctors from the Military Central Hospital 108, under the guidance of Professor Jan D. Schmitto, President of the European Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support.
Professor Schmitto was the first in the world to successfully implant a HeartMate 3 LVAD in 2014, with the patient still living a normal life 11 years later.
The procedure lasted four hours, and within two weeks of the surgery, the patient had regained full independence in daily activities and is now preparing for discharge.
Dr Dang Viet Duc, Deputy Director of the Cardiovascular Institute, noted that the HeartMate 3 LVAD is currently among the most advanced and sophisticated cardiovascular technologies available. By assisting the heart’s pumping function, it improves blood flow to vital organs, allowing patients to resume a normal lifestyle.
This successful operation offers hope to thousands of patients with end-stage heart failure—many of whom have previously had no option but to wait for a heart transplant. Although organ donation in Vietnam has improved, the number of available hearts remains far lower than the number of patients in need.
Reflecting on her recovery, patient H.T.X shared, "Before, every hospital visit came with the fear that my heart might stop at any moment. I’m deeply grateful to the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and international experts who gave me a new lease of life. I feel healthy again and am looking forward to going home."
This milestone marks a major breakthrough for cardiac surgery in Vietnam. It highlights both the country’s growing medical expertise and the hospital’s strategic investment in high-tech healthcare development. The success of this case also lays the groundwork for broader application of advanced techniques across different medical specialities, encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration in research and treatment to better serve patient needs.
The Military Central Hospital 108 is currently the only medical facility in Vietnam authorised to routinely perform LVAD implantation in accordance with Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defence regulations.
Globally, tens of thousands of LVAD implants—including the HeartMate 3—have been performed successfully, with some patients living up to 15 years post-implant./.
