我国儿童心脏移植供需比仅1/50，国产“人工心”有望延长移植等待期

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of a lightweight, 45-gram domestic "artificial heart" represents a significant advancement in pediatric cardiac care, addressing the critical shortage of donor hearts for children suffering from severe heart failure [1][2][3] Group 1: Product Development and Innovation - The new artificial heart is the smallest and lightest magnetic levitation dual ventricular assist device (VAD) globally, being 50% smaller than the previous smallest model [2] - This device is specifically designed for children weighing between 10 to 30 kilograms and with a body surface area of less than 1.0 square meter [5] - The development of this pediatric VAD took five years and was a collaborative effort between medical teams and Shenzhen Core Medical [7] Group 2: Clinical Application and Challenges - The current supply-demand ratio for pediatric heart transplants in China is approximately 1:50, highlighting the urgent need for effective VAD solutions [3][6] - The mortality rate for children waiting for heart transplants can reach 40%, emphasizing the importance of VADs in extending survival time [1][6] - The use of VAD technology has been shown to reduce the mortality rate of children on transplant waiting lists from 38% to 13% [6] Group 3: Regulatory and Financial Aspects - The cost of the domestic artificial heart ranges from 500,000 to 700,000 yuan, with total expenses for surgery and devices estimated between 800,000 to 1,000,000 yuan [8] - Some regions in China have included artificial heart implantation in their medical insurance reimbursement lists to alleviate patient financial burdens [8][9] - The integration of VAD technology into clinical practice faces challenges, including the need for specialized training and monitoring protocols for pediatric patients [9][10] Group 4: Future Directions - Continuous monitoring and potential for reoperation are necessary for children with implanted artificial hearts due to their growth and changing physiological needs [10] - The industry is focusing on improving clinical technology systems and management plans to enhance the affordability and accessibility of these innovative medical devices [2][6]