Saudi Hospital makes history with first robotic artificial heart implant

SAUDI ARABIA – King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh has become the first hospital in the world to successfully implant an artificial heart pump using robotic technology.

The advanced procedure involved Abbott’s HeartMate 3 device and was carried out on a 35-year-old patient suffering from severe heart failure that had also impacted his kidney and lung function.

After spending 120 days in the hospital, the patient is now recovering well and looking forward to reuniting with his family.

The surgery was led by Dr. Feras Khaliel, head of cardiac surgery and director of the hospital’s Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Program.

Thanks to the precision of robotic assistance, the patient spent only four days in the ICU– a sharp contrast to the 26-day average for similar procedures done with traditional methods.

His full recovery is expected within 10 days, a major improvement from the typical 63-day recovery period.

Dr. Khaliel highlighted the safety and accuracy of robotic surgery, sharing that the patient experienced no infections or bleeding, and was surprised by the minimal scarring.

Dr. Bjorn Zoega, deputy CEO of KFSHRC, noted that the achievement reflects the hospital’s ability to lead bold medical innovation while maintaining the highest safety standards.

He also emphasized that this milestone reinforces Saudi Arabia’s rising status as a global hub for medical technology.

Keith Boettiger, Vice President of Abbott’s heart failure division, expressed pride in the collaboration, calling it a major step in using health technology to improve outcomes and enhance lives.

The successful procedure adds to KFSHRC’s track record of world firsts, including fully robotic heart and liver transplants, further positioning the hospital as a pioneer in robotic and specialized healthcare.

KFSHRC has received multiple international recognitions. It was ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally among the world’s top 250 academic medical centers for two years in a row.

In 2024, it was also named the most valuable healthcare brand in both Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, and listed among the world’s best hospitals and smart hospitals for 2025 by Newsweek.