U.S. Completes First Robotic Heart Transplant
Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center in Houston has announced the successful completion of the first fully robotic heart transplant in the United States.
This achievement marks a historic step in global healthcare collaboration and robotic surgical innovation.
The procedure closely follows a similar groundbreaking operation that was reported in September 2024 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
That operation, conducted under the leadership of Professor Feras Khaliel, was the world's first fully robotic heart transplant.
It was performed on a 16-year-old patient with end-stage heart failure. The team used a chest-sparing, minimally invasive method.
This novel technique, patented by Professor Khaliel, significantly lowers infection risk and speeds up recovery. This is especially critical for immunosuppressed transplant patients.
KFSHRC has since applied the same robotic transplant technique to both adult and pediatric cases.
• Professor Khaliel is now leading training efforts in the U.S. and Europe
• The goal is to expand research and set new global surgical standards
The American team's use of the technique developed in Riyadh signals growing international recognition of Saudi Arabia's role in medical innovation.
Furthermore, it highlights the Kingdom's increasing influence in shaping the future of advanced healthcare delivery.
Professor Khaliel and the leadership at KFSHRC were recently honored by His Royal Highness the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in recognition of this milestone.
The robotic procedure has gained widespread media attention and global acclaim. It is being seen as a defining moment in the field of heart transplantation.
This success has also triggered a wave of innovation in Saudi Arabia's healthcare sector. Experts report it is helping to reshape global clinical practice.
As a result, Saudi Arabia is being viewed not only as a regional healthcare leader but as a global source of transformative medical models.
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