The World’s Smallest Artificial Heart: A Life-Saving Breakthrough for a 16-Month-Old Baby

In a landmark moment for pediatric cardiac medicine, doctors achieved a major medical breakthrough when a tiny titanium artificial heart helped save the life of a 16-month-old baby. This remarkable event took place at the world-renowned Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital in Rome, Italy, in March 2012. The procedure demonstrated how cutting-edge technology can give critically ill children a second chance at life, even in the most urgent and high-risk situations.

A Baby Fighting a Severe Heart Condition

The child was suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy, a serious disease that weakens the heart muscle and prevents it from pumping blood effectively. According to global heart-health organizations such as the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), this condition is one of the leading causes of heart failure in children.

Before this historic surgery, the baby had already undergone implantation of a ventricular assist device (VAD). However, complications arose when the infant developed a dangerous infection, leaving doctors with very limited treatment options. The medical team urgently needed a solution that could keep the baby alive long enough to find a matching donor heart.

The World’s Smallest Artificial Heart: Only 11 Grams

To save the child’s life, surgeons implanted a titanium mini-pump widely recognized at the time as the world’s smallest artificial heart. The device weighed just 11 grams, making it light enough and small enough for use in a baby’s tiny chest cavity.

The artificial heart was invented by American physician Dr. Robert Jarvik, known for pioneering modern artificial heart technology. While designed only as a temporary solution, this miniature pump was powerful enough to take over the baby’s heart function and maintain circulation during the critical waiting period.

Medical reports published by CBS News and MedicalXpress confirm that the device acted as a “bridge to transplant,” keeping the child’s organs stable and functioning while doctors continued the urgent search for a donor.

A Life Saved After 13 Critical Days

The artificial heart successfully maintained the baby’s blood flow for 13 days, buying exactly the time needed for a suitable donor heart to become available. Once a match was found, surgeons performed a life-saving heart transplant.

The surgical team, led by Dr. Antonio Amodeo, reported that the procedure was extremely complex but ultimately successful. Two months after the transplant, the child—whose identity remained private for medical and ethical reasons—was described as being in excellent health, with all post-transplant indicators looking positive.

A Milestone in Pediatric Heart Surgery

This case remains one of the most important milestones in modern pediatric cardiac care. It not only demonstrated what advanced medical engineering can achieve but also proved that even the smallest patients can benefit from lifesaving artificial heart technology.

Institutions such as Bambino Gesù Hospital continue to highlight this achievement as a powerful example of how innovation, expertise, and rapid response can transform the future of child cardiac treatment.

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Sources

• Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital (Italy)

• CBS News

• MedicalXpress

• European Society of Cardiology (ESC)