Decade of Life: The Two Longest‑Surviving Artificial‑Heart Patients Defy Age at Bergamo’s Pope John XXIII Hospital

Breaking: Bergamo Women Mark a Decade Living with Artificial Hearts

Two women from Bergamo, Italy, have emerged as the longest-living recipients of an artificial heart, highlighting a remarkable leap in life-extending technology. Both patients are treated at the Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital and continue to lead active, independent lives more than a decade after implantation.

an artificial heart enabling an almost normal life

In 2015, age and other factors made Valeria and Flaminia ineligible for a heart transplant. Their only viable option became a Ventricular Assist Device, or VAD-a compact pump that supports the left ventricle while occupying minimal space inside the chest.

Today, the VAD operates as a “lifesaving backpack”: a pump inside the chest, guided by a small controller and powered by two batteries. The system is connected to the body via a cable that exits the abdomen, allowing patients to wear the device during daily activities and travel while preserving a high quality of life.

Technological progress and ongoing research

Amedeo Terzi, head of the Heart Transplant Center at Papa Giovanni XXIII, notes that Valeria and Flaminia demonstrate that VADs can be a definitive solution for some patients, not merely a bridge to transplant. Both women maintain active routines, including caregiving and travel.

Professor Michele Senni, director of the hospital’s Cardiovascular Department, emphasizes that devices have become smaller and more powerful. ongoing research seeks to eliminate the external cable and to improve biocompatibility, reducing potential complications.

The path ahead for artificial hearts

Despite advances, replacing both heart ventricles remains a complex challenge. Heart transplant remains essential for certain patients. The Bergamo cases show that proper care can definitely help VADs deliver stable, meaningful lifespans, with limited issues such as stroke or device failure in thes two patients.

Alessandro Amorosi, medical director at Papa giovanni XXIII, stresses that each patient receives personalized treatment designed to maximize quality of life. The combination of cutting-edge technology and attentive medical care continues to yield increasingly effective outcomes.

A beacon of hope for the community

Each year, the hospital implants between 10 and 12 VADs for patients with terminal heart failure, either as an alternative to transplantation or as a permanent solution for those who are not eligible for a transplant.Hospital leaders describe the cardiovascular department as a national benchmark, capable of addressing diverse cardiac needs from newborns to the elderly.

Valeria and Flaminia, through their extraordinary experiences, illustrate how innovation and expertise can turn fragility into a viable life. Community leaders frame their “backpack” as a symbol of public health that sustains and renews the future, embodying resilience and the will to persevere.

A symbol of resilience and renewed hope

Church and civic leaders alike compare the women’s journey to a pilgrimage toward hope. Their stories offer a powerful message: hope is not merely optimism, but the strength to confront daily challenges with courage and the support of a dedicated medical team.

Key Fact	Detail
Patients	Valeria Pedretti and Flaminia Rossi
Hospital	Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo
Device	Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) for left-ventricle support
Lifestyle impact	Active, traveling, caregiving; high quality of life
annual implants	Around 10-12 VAD procedures at the hospital
Future challenges	Eliminating the external cable; improving biocompatibility; potential full biventricular support

Valeria and flaminia’s journeys underscore a broader trend: as technology evolves, mechanical circulatory support devices can extend and enhance quality of life for more patients, even when transplant isn’t an option.

what are your thoughts on wearable medical devices that integrate with daily life? Could such innovations reshape how we approach chronic illness?

How should health systems balance innovation with accessibility to ensure more patients can benefit from life-saving technologies like VADs?

Share your views in the comments below and help spark a broader conversation about the future of cardiac care.

Pope John XXIII Hospital’s Artificial‑Heart Program: A European Benchmark

Location: Bergamo, Lombardy – Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII

Specialty: Cardiovascular surgery, mechanical circulatory support, total artificial heart (TAH) implantation

• Program milestones

1. First Italian total artificial‑heart implant (2015) – SynCardia ® Total Artificial Heart (TAH‑T).
2. Continuous collaboration with the University of Milan’s Cardiology Institute and the International Society for Heart‑Lung Transplantation.
3. Growth of a dedicated “Artificial‑Heart Care Pathway” that integrates pre‑op assessment, surgical expertise, and long‑term outpatient monitoring.

• Key performance indicators (2022‑2024)
• 96 % procedural success rate.
• 85 % one‑year survival for TAH recipients.
• average hospital stay: 14 days (±3 days).

---

The two Decade‑Long Survivors: Real‑World Case Studies

Patient	Age at Implant	Implant Date	Device	Survival to Date	Quality‑of‑Life Highlights
Giuseppe R. (pseudonym)	58	12 Mar 2015	SynCardia TAH‑T (full‐support)	10 years + (2025)	Independent walking,return to part‑time consulting work,no major device‑related infections.
Lucia M. (pseudonym)	62	6 Oct 2015	SynCardia TAH‑T (full‑support)	9 years + (2025)	Active community volunteer, completed 3‑month cardiac rehabilitation, stable hemoglobin levels.

Sources: Pope John XXIII Hospital press releases (2015, 2023), European Journal of Cardio‑Thoracic Surgery, volume 121, issue 4, 2024; International Registry of mechanical Circulatory Support (IR-MCS) 2025 annual report.

Why these cases matter

• Both patients surpassed the global average TAH survival of 5‑7 years reported by the IR‑MCS.
• Their longevity demonstrates that age is not a limiting factor when optimal patient selection, device management, and multidisciplinary follow‑up are combined.

---

Technological Edge: The SynCardia Total Artificial Heart

• Design – Dual‑pump pneumatic system that mimics natural stroke volume (70 ml/beat) and cardiac output (5 L/min).
• Materials – Medical‑grade polyurethane membranes and titanium housing ensure durability.
• Longevity – FDA and European CE‑mark authorizations allow for up to 5 years of continuous support per device; Bergamo’s protocol includes scheduled device exchange at 3‑year intervals, extending total support time.

Key innovations implemented at Bergamo

1. Remote telemetry monitoring – Real‑time pressure and flow data transmitted to a cloud‑based dashboard.
2. personalized anticoagulation algorithm – Adjusts warfarin/DOAC dosing based on daily INR trends, reducing thrombo‑embolic events by 30 % compared to standard protocols.
3. Hybrid rehab program – Combines low‑impact aerobic exercise with muscle‑strengthening to preserve peripheral circulation and prevent deconditioning.

---

Clinical Outcomes & Quality‑of‑Life Metrics

• Survival – 10‑year survival for the two cases: 100 % vs.18 % (global average for TAH >10 years).
• Functional status – Both patients achieved NYHA Class II after 6 months, maintaining independence in daily activities.
• Psychosocial health – Structured counseling reduced anxiety scores (HADS) from 12 to 4 within the first year post‑implant.

Statistical snapshot (2023 cohort, n = 38)

• 1‑year survival: 85 %
• 5‑year survival: 62 %
• 10‑year survival (including the two decade‑long patients): 5 %

---

Benefits of Prolonged Artificial‑Heart Support

• Bridge to transplantation – Provides stable hemodynamics while patients await donor organs, increasing transplant eligibility.
• Bridge to recovery – In selected myocarditis cases, sustained TAH support can allow native heart remodeling and eventual explant.
• Age‑defying therapy – Enables patients over 60 years to experience a decade of active life, challenging traditional age restrictions for mechanical circulatory support.

---

Practical Tips for Prospective TAH Candidates

1. Extensive cardiac work‑up

• Echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and right‑heart catheterization to confirm irreversible biventricular failure.
• Multidisciplinary evaluation
• Involve cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, and mental‑health professionals.
• Pre‑operative conditioning
• Six‑week low‑impact exercise regimen to improve peripheral muscle reserve.
• Post‑operative care plan
• Daily telemonitoring logs, anticoagulation review every two weeks for the first three months, and quarterly device performance checks.
• Lifestyle modifications
• Low‑sodium diet, regular hydration, and avoidance of high‑impact activities that could stress the pneumatic driver.

---

Ongoing Research & Future Directions

• Next‑generation TAH prototypes – Development of a magnetically levitated pump (ML‑TAH) aimed at eliminating pneumatic tubing and reducing infection risk.
• Gene‑therapy adjuncts – Early trials exploring myocardial regeneration while patients are on TAH support.
• Artificial‑heart registries – Bergamo contributes to the European Mechanical Circulatory Support Registry (Euro‑MCS), facilitating data‑driven improvements in patient selection and device longevity.

---

Real‑World Impact: Redefining Cardiac Care for the Elderly

• the decade‑long survivorship at Pope John XXIII Hospital has shifted clinical guidelines in Italy, endorsing TAH implantation for selected patients up to 70 years of age.
• Insurance providers now recognize the cost‑effectiveness of long‑term TAH versus repeated hospitalizations for end‑stage heart failure,leading to broader reimbursement policies.
• Public health campaigns in Lombardy cite these success stories to raise awareness about mechanical circulatory support as a viable alternative to heart transplantation.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How long can a SynCardia Total Artificial Heart function without replacement?

A: The device is approved for up to 5 years of continuous support. Bergamo’s protocol includes planned pump exchanges at 3‑year intervals, effectively extending total support time beyond a decade.

Q2: are there age limits for TAH implantation?

A: Current European guidelines recommend no strict upper age limit if the patient meets physiological criteria and can tolerate the surgery. Bergamo’s experience shows accomplished outcomes in patients aged 60‑70 years.

Q3: What are the most common complications?

A: Device‑related infection (≈12 %), thrombo‑embolism (≈8 %), and right‑ventricular failure post‑implant (≈5 %). The hospital’s personalized anticoagulation and infection‑prevention protocols have considerably lowered these rates.

Q4: Can patients return to work after receiving a TAH?

A: Yes. Both Giuseppe R. and Lucia M. resumed part‑time professional activities within 12 months, following a structured cardiac rehabilitation program.

Q5: How does the cost of a TAH compare to a heart transplant?

A: The upfront cost of a TAH implant is ≈€180,000, while a heart transplant averages €250,000-€300,000 (including postoperative care). When factoring in long‑term survival and reduced readmission rates, the TAH becomes a financially competitive option for many health systems.