Zhejiang University Fourth Hospital Successfully Completes 3 Artificial Heart Implantations

Background

End-stage heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood effectively despite medical interventions, leaving patients with severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, edema, fatigue and limited life expectancy. For those ineligible for heart transplantation due to factors like comorbidities or donor shortages, treatment options have historically been constrained. In central-western Zhejiang, patients often needed to travel to larger urban centers for advanced therapies, incurring significant costs and logistical challenges for follow-up care.

The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine has been developing its cardiac and great vascular surgery capabilities to address regional needs. On October 23, 2026, the hospital held an exchange meeting titled “Walking Together, Restarting Life from the Heart” for its first batch of regional artificial heart patients, during which recovered individuals shared experiences and expressed gratitude to the medical team.

What was achieved

Director Zhang Zonggang's team in the Department of Cardiac and Great Vascular Surgery accomplished three consecutive regional breakthroughs in artificial heart technology in central-western Zhejiang during 2026. On April 21, the region's first artificial heart implantation was performed on a 62-year-old man from Yiwu diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy who had previously experienced cardiac arrest and required multiple interventions; he was transferred out of the cardiac intensive care unit on April 27 and discharged on May 26. On May 12, the region's first biventricular artificial heart implantation was completed on a 62-year-old man from Pujiang. On September 2, the region's first minimally invasive artificial heart implantation was performed on a 53-year-old man from Pujiang.

All three patients presented with critical end-stage heart failure and poor baseline conditions. A multidisciplinary team involving more than ten departments—including cardiac and great vascular surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine, anesthesiology, nephrology, infectious diseases, nutrition, intensive care medicine, ultrasound, radiology, traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation, and transfusion—provided coordinated care from preoperative assessment through postoperative rehabilitation. All three patients were discharged less than one month after surgery and have resumed normal lives.

Zhang Zonggang, one of China's early practitioners of artificial heart implantation, has performed more than 20 such procedures since 2021 while also conducting complex cardiac surgeries. At the October 23 meeting, he described the cases as three milestone ventricular assist surgeries, commonly referred to as 'artificial hearts' by the public. He noted the rapid progress from open-chest to minimally invasive approaches and from single-ventricle to biventricular synchronous support, representing a major advance that allows patients in central-western Zhejiang to access cutting-edge technology locally. Artificial heart implantation is regarded as one of the most technically demanding procedures in cardiac surgery, requiring advanced equipment and team coordination.

How it works

In end-stage heart failure, the heart's ventricles fail to circulate blood adequately. An artificial heart, more precisely termed a ventricular assist device (VAD) or left ventricular assist system (LVAS), is a mechanical pump surgically implanted to support or replace the pumping function of one or both ventricles. In the three cases at the hospital, a domestically developed full magnetic levitation left ventricular assist system was used. This compact device, smaller than an egg and weighing only 90 grams, features magnetic levitation technology that reduces mechanical wear, blood trauma and complications compared to earlier generations.

The pump is connected to the heart chamber and major vessels such as the aorta to draw blood from the failing ventricle and propel it into systemic circulation. A driveline exits the skin to connect to an external controller and rechargeable batteries worn by the patient. Depending on the case, the procedure may involve traditional sternotomy or a minimally invasive surgical approach with smaller incisions. The device can aid cardiac recovery, serve as a bridge to heart transplantation, or function as long-term destination therapy for non-transplant candidates. Postoperative management requires ongoing multidisciplinary oversight, including anticoagulation therapy, infection prevention, device monitoring and rehabilitation. Reports indicate that the 5-year survival rate with this technology is comparable to that of heart transplantation.

What it means for international patients

The hospital maintains an international medical department equipped with single rooms and suites, offering services that include English-language communication and support for international insurance. Situated in Yiwu, a hub for international trade, the facility serves patients from numerous countries and regions. Through its affiliation with Zhejiang University and the establishment of the Belt and Road International Medical College alongside the Zhejiang University International Health Medicine Research Institute, the hospital is advancing its role as an international medical center with accreditations such as JCI.

International patients with end-stage heart failure considering ventricular assist device implantation or related cardiac care at the facility should directly contact the hospital to verify current eligibility criteria, availability of specific procedures, required medical documentation, language support details and individualized assessment processes. Suitability depends on comprehensive clinical evaluation by the multidisciplinary team, and no assumptions should be made regarding individual outcomes.

About the hospital

The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, also known as ZJU4H or Zhejiang University Fourth Hospital, is a provincial tertiary Grade A comprehensive public hospital located in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province. It opened in October 2014 on a campus occupying approximately 189 acres with over 1,100 beds currently in use and around 2,000 staff members. As a direct affiliate of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, it integrates clinical care, education and research.

The hospital has earned A+ ratings in consecutive national performance appraisals of tertiary public hospitals, consistently ranking among the top nationally and first in central-western Zhejiang. It holds national certifications as a chest pain center, heart failure center, atrial fibrillation center, stroke center and others. Recognized specialties include its cardiac center, respiratory medicine, critical care, oncology and minimally invasive surgery. It has achieved JCI accreditation, HIMSS EMRAM Stage 6 and ISO 15189 laboratory accreditation, supporting its development toward an international medical center.