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Saudi Arabia Sets New Global Benchmark with Robotic-Assisted Heart Surgery


Riyadh: King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh successfully performed a robotic-assisted implantation of Abbott’s HeartMate 3 artificial heart pump, the hospital said in a statement on Wednesday. The surgery was performed on a 35-year-old patient suffering from advanced heart failure, accompanied by kidney and lung complications. Following a 120-day hospitalization, the patient’s recovery progressed remarkably quickly, requiring only four days in intensive care and anticipating discharge within 10 days – significantly faster than the standard recovery time for similar procedures.



According to Anadolu Agency, this milestone demonstrates KFSHRC’s ability to balance innovation with safety measures, delivering medical solutions that redefine healthcare possibilities. Dr. Bjorn Zoega, the deputy CEO of KFSHRC, noted that this achievement solidifies Saudi Arabia’s position as a leader in medical innovation. Dr. Feras Khaliel, the head of cardiac surgery and director of the center’s Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program, led the operation and emphasized the precision and safety of robotic-assisted procedures, noting the absence of infections, bleeding, or other complications for the patient.



The HeartMate 3, designed to support patients with advanced heart failure, was implanted with robotic assistance to reduce surgical trauma and recovery time. Keith Boettiger, vice president of Abbott’s heart failure business, praised the collaboration with KFSHRC, highlighting how innovation in health technology can improve quality of life. KFSHRC’s robotic-assisted procedures are part of broader efforts to integrate advanced technologies into healthcare.



The institution has achieved global recognition for robotic heart and liver transplants and is consistently ranked among the top hospitals worldwide. It secured the top spot in the Middle East and Africa and ranked 20th globally among the top 250 Academic Medical Centers for the second consecutive year. It was also recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in the 2024 Brand Finance rankings.