臺大醫院創亞洲首例「雙長效型心室輔助器」 成功模擬全人工心臟　開創末期心衰治療新里程碑

在醫療科技與臨床挑戰並進的時代，臺大醫院再創醫學奇蹟。本院高階循環輔助團隊成功為一名極端末期心臟衰竭患者，執行亞洲首例心臟移除仍存活「植入兩套長效型心室輔助器模擬全人工心臟」手術。患者原本因心臟功能完全衰竭，無法依賴傳統治療存活，如今在手術後恢復良好，已能進食與行走，開創心臟移植前過渡治療的新契機。

挑戰醫療極限　雙輔助器取代整顆心臟

該名46歲男性患者因擴張型心肌病變導致心臟功能急遽惡化，自8月起數度心臟驟停，先後接受冠狀動脈繞道手術（CABG）、主動脈氣球幫浦（IABP）及靜脈-動脈葉克膜（V-A ECMO）治療，仍無法穩定。儘管曾植入暫時性左心室輔助器，但患者仍不斷出現嚴重的心律不整，經評估無法進行心律不整電燒術，病情陷入危急。

面對國內尚無全人工心臟（TAH）醫材可用，以及健保現行規定僅能終身給付一套心室輔助器的限制，團隊毅然採取創新方案——移除壞死的心室，改以兩套長效型心室輔助器分別取代左、右心功能。手術於9月28日進行，外科團隊切除患者的左右心室後，植入兩套長效型心室輔助器以維持全身血液循環。術後患者雖無心跳，但仰賴兩套輔助器穩定提供連續血流，實現「功能性全人工心臟」的效果，並成功跨越醫材與保險制度的雙重限制。

國際醫學新策略　臺灣再登亞洲之巔

這項創新術式在國際上被視為全人工心臟（TAH）替代方案之一，特別適用於無可用TAH醫材或不適合傳統治療的極端重症病患。根據國際多中心研究數據，此策略可讓患者達成30天存活率53%、成功過渡至移植率26%。臺大醫院此次的成功執行，標誌著臺灣在心臟外科與高階循環輔助治療上的重要突破，技術水準已與全球先進國家並駕齊驅。

二十年專業耕耘　臺大團隊再創心臟醫療典範

臺大醫院心臟衰竭高階循環輔助團隊成立二十餘年來，致力於嚴重心臟衰竭患者之治療與輔助器管理，擁有全台最長的VAD輔助存活紀錄，並於2021年榮獲SNQ國家品質標章暨國家生技醫療品質獎銀獎。團隊成員包含心臟外科、心臟內科、麻醉科、重症醫學、護理與復健團隊等跨領域專業，形成完整的照護網絡。此次手術的成功，正是多年經驗與跨科整合的成果，展現出臺大醫療團隊「從急救到重生」的臨床能量。

延續生命的力量　創造希望的新起點

目前患者已穩定康復並進入復健階段，等待未來的心臟移植。此案例不僅象徵醫學技術的突破，更反映臺大醫院「以人為本」的核心精神——即便面對最嚴峻的挑戰，也不放棄任何一絲希望。臺大醫院將持續推動人工心臟與心臟移植領域的臨床研究與技術發展，成為亞洲心臟醫療創新的領航者。

November 10, 2025

NTUH Achieves Asia’s First Dual Durable Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Successfully Simulates Total Artificial Heart and Pioneers a New Milestone in End-Stage Heart Failure Treatment

In an era where medical technology continuously advances to meet complex clinical challenges, National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) has achieved a remarkable breakthrough. The advanced circulatory assist team successfully performed Asia’s first “dual durable ventricular assist device (VAD)” implantation to simulate total artificial heart (TAH) function in a patient with end-stage heart failure.
The patient, previously unable to survive with conventional treatments, is now recovering well following surgery and has resumed eating and ambulation—ushering in a new form of bridge therapy before heart transplantation.

Pushing the Limits: Two VADs Replacing an Entire Heart

The 46-year-old male patient, diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, experienced rapid deterioration in cardiac function. Beginning in August, he suffered several episodes of cardiac arrest and underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) support, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO), yet his condition remained unstable.

A temporary left ventricular assist device was implanted; however, the patient continued to suffer from severe arrhythmia and was not a suitable candidate for ablation therapy, placing him in life-threatening condition.

In Taiwan, no TAH device is currently available, and National Health Insurance only covers one VAD per lifetime. To overcome these constraints, the NTUH team adopted an innovative approach—removing both failed ventricles and implanting two durable VADs to functionally replace the patient’s heart.

The surgery, performed on September 28, involved removal of the ventricles and implantation of two durable VADs to support systemic circulation. Although the patient has no heartbeat post-operation, the dual-pump system provides continuous flow, achieving “functional total artificial heart” circulation. This pioneering solution successfully addressed the limitations of available medical devices and reimbursement restrictions.

A New International Strategy Places Taiwan at the Forefront

This novel approach is considered a viable total artificial heart alternative for critically ill patients when TAH devices are unavailable or unsuitable. According to international multicenter studies, this strategy yields a 30-day survival rate of 53% and a 26% success rate in bridging to transplant.

NTUH’s successful execution marks a major milestone in cardiac surgery and advanced circulatory support, placing Taiwan among the global leaders in complex heart failure care.

Two Decades of Expertise Establish a New Clinical Paradigm

The NTUH advanced circulatory support team has devoted more than 20 years to managing severe heart failure and VAD therapy. The team holds Taiwan’s longest VAD survival record and received the 2021 Symbol of National Quality (SNQ) and National Biotechnology & Medical Care Quality Award (Silver).

The multidisciplinary team includes cardiac surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, nurses, and rehabilitation professionals, providing an integrated care model.
This landmark achievement reflects years of accumulated clinical experience and cross-department collaboration, demonstrating NTUH’s exceptional ability to guide patients “from resuscitation to recovery.”

Sustaining Life and Creating Hope

The patient is currently stable and undergoing rehabilitation while awaiting heart transplantation.
This milestone not only highlights a major medical breakthrough but also embodies NTUH’s patient-centered mission—never giving up on any possibility to save a life.

NTUH will continue advancing research and treatment related to artificial heart technology and heart transplantation, forging ahead as a leading innovator in cardiac care throughout Asia.