February 17th 2025
Aeson® total artificial heart highlighted as a very promising solution for heart failure patients with pulmonary hypertension in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
Paris, February 17, 2025 – 7:00 am CET
CARMAT (FR0010907956, ALCAR), designer and developer of the world’s most advanced total artificial heart, aiming to provide a therapeutic alternative for people suffering from advanced biventricular heart failure (the “Company” or “CARMAT”), today announces the publication in The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation, of an article on the performance of Aeson® total artificial heart in treating heart failure patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Study description and key findings
The article, entitled “Precise Monitoring of Transpulmonic Resistance in Bridge to Transplant Patients Supported by The Aeson Total Artificial Heart[1]”, features the results of a single-center study conducted at the University Medical Center of Astana (Kazakhstan) on 3 heart failure patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHT).
One of Aeson®’s innovative features is its ability to estimate transpulmonic resistance (eTPR) in real time, based on embedded pressure sensors. This is useful for monitoring patients with PHT, an indication that often excludes them from heart transplant candidacy.
Following the Aeson® implant, all three patients experienced improved functional capacity, as demonstrated by 6-minute walk distances test, and were discharged from hospital on the Aeson® respectively 68, 48 and 48 days after implant. Over time, their pulmonary hypertension indicators improved, rendering them eligible for heart transplant, which effectively took place after 243, 155 and 109 days respectively.
Dr. Yuriy Pya, Cardiac Surgeon at University Medical Center of Astana and lead author of the study, stated: “In our experience with patients suffering from pulmonary hypertension, the Aeson® total artificial heart provided autoregulated blood flow to optimize patients’ condition. Moreover, the non-invasive monitoring of pulmonary resistance with data generated by Aeson® has helped us to determine the best timing for a successful heart transplant in all cases.”
Aeson®: a very promising solution for heart failure patients with pulmonary hypertension
Up to 25% of patients with advanced heart failure suffer from pulmonary hypertension, which represents several thousand patients in a difficult-to-treat situation, as they are mostly subject to a contra-indication to heart transplant.
While left ventricular assist devices are often used in an attempt to relieve pulmonary hypertension, prolonged support may lead to onset of right heart failure. These patients face significant risks of morbidity and mortality, emphasizing the need for alternative strategies.
Aeson®, providing balanced biventricular support and integrating pressure sensors for real-time blood flow regulation, could offer an innovative approach to the management of pulmonary hypertension in advanced heart failure patients, both as a viable bridge-to-transplant solution or, potential definitive therapy.
Piet Jansen, Chief Medical Officer of CARMAT, concluded: “Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that can temporarily delay heart transplantation. This publication in a prestigious scientific journal highlights the potential of Aeson® to safely bridge patients with pulmonary hypertension to a heart transplant. The ability of the device to provide real-time hemodynamic monitoring and to facilitate clinical decision-making has led to improved outcomes for these high-risk heart transplant candidates. Although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish standardized protocols for pulmonary hypertension management with Aeson®, our device represents an important advancement in mechanical circulatory support and a real hope for thousands of patients with this challenging condition.”
[1] https://www.jhltonline.org/article/S1053-2498(25)00069-5/fulltext