Saudi Arabia Sets New Standards For Heart Surgery With Robots

JAKARTA - The Raja Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia managed to implant a heart made by HeartMate 3 Abbott which was assisted by robots.

Through an official statement from the hospital reported by Anadolu on Thursday, it is known that the operation was carried out on a 35-year-old patient who suffered from advanced stage heart failure accompanied by kidney and lung complications.

After undergoing inpatient treatment for 120 days, the patient's recovery is very fast, it only takes four days in the intensive care room and is expected to return home within 10 days, much faster than the standard recovery time for similar procedures.

"This achievement demonstrates our ability to balance bold innovations with strict security precautions, providing cutting-edge medical solutions that redefine the possibility of health care," said Dr. Bjorn Zoega, who is also deputy CEO of KFSHRC reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 23.

This achievement strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in medical innovation.

Dr. Feras Khaliel, Head of Heart Surgery and Director of the Robotic and Minimal Invasive Surgery Program at the center, led the operation.

Khaliel stressed the accuracy and safety of robotic-assisted procedures and noted that patients do not experience infection, bleeding, or other complications.

"Patients are amazed by the minimal scar, reflecting the sophisticated capabilities of robotic technology," he said.

HeartMate 3, which is designed to support patients with advanced heart failure, is implanted with the help of robots to reduce surgical trauma and recovery time.

Keith Boettiger, Vice President of Abbott's Heart Failure Business, praised the collaboration with the hospital.

"This procedure underlines how innovation in health technology can improve the quality of life significantly," he said.

The robot-assisted procedure at KFSHRC is part of a broader effort to integrate advanced technology into health care.

The institution has previously won global recognition for robotic heart and liver transplants and consistently ranks among the best hospitals in the world.

This institution secures the top positions in the Middle East and Africa and ranks 20th globally among the top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second year in a row.

They are also recognized as the most valuable health care brands in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in the Brand Finance 2024 rankings.