Vietnam performs 1st successful implantation of compact mechanical heart pump

More time while waiting for donor hearts

The patient, identified as D.C., 63, from Hanoi, was transferred to 108 Military Central Hospital on September 6 with severe heart failure.

His condition had progressively worsened, with increasing shortness of breath that did not respond to medication, leaving him unable to lie down and requiring him to sit upright day and night to breathe.

He had multivessel coronary artery disease, severe mitral valve regurgitation, and extensive myocardial scarring following a major heart attack.

Treatment options targeting the underlying conditions were no longer viable.

He was deemed eligible for a heart transplant and transferred to the hospital to wait for a suitable donor heart.

However, the waiting time for a suitable donor heart was uncertain, while the patient was unable to care for himself and was completely dependent on medical care.

At that time, 108 Military Central Hospital had completed preparations to introduce CorHeart 6, a new-generation left ventricular assist device.

The device provides mechanical circulatory support, using specialized medical equipment to assist or replace the heart's pumping function when the heart is severely weakened.

After clinical examinations and diagnostic tests, the hospital held a consultation and determined that the patient was eligible for CorHeart 6 implantation.

The surgery was performed successfully on September 10.

One week after the implantation, D.C. was able to walk, perform daily personal activities on his own and continue receiving instructions on how to care for and manage the device before discharge.

Compact device designed for smaller patients

Doctor Tran Quang Thai of 108 Military Central Hospital, who directly participated in the operation, said CorHeart 6's main advantage is its compact design.

The device has a diameter of about 34mm, a thickness of 26mm and weighs around 90 grams, while the HeartMate 3 measures about 50 × 34mm and weighs around 200 grams.

CorHeart 6's smaller size could make it suitable for patients with smaller body frames and chest cavities, including Vietnamese patients, while also potentially opening up applications for children with severe heart failure.

Doctor Le Huu Song, director of 108 Military Central Hospital, said the hospital would put the technique into routine use following the successful implantation, building on its trained medical team, equipment and experience in implanting left ventricular assist devices.

The hospital aims to help more patients access the treatment and improve the quality of life of those waiting for heart transplants.

In 2025, 108 Military Central Hospital successfully implanted a HeartMate 3, a left ventricular assist device.

However, the HeartMate 3 has some limitations, including its larger size and high cost, which can restrict patient access.

The hospital's medical team has therefore continued updating its expertise and exploring newer generations of devices.

In September 2026, the hospital performed the first successful CorHeart 6 implantation in Vietnam, providing another treatment option based on patient needs.