Singapore, 06 September 2025 – The National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) today commemorates the 35th anniversary of its Heart Transplant Programme, marking over three decades of pioneering achievements in advanced heart failure management and mechanical circulatory support in Singapore. 

The anniversary event was graced by Mr Foo Cexiang, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, and held at JEN Singapore Tanglin on 6 September 2025. Approximately 200 guests attended the event, including heart transplant recipients, patients with ventricular assist devices (VAD) and their loved ones, as well as multidisciplinary healthcare professionals – past and present – from the programme. 

Pioneering Milestones 

The NHCS Heart Transplant Programme was established in 1990 to care for patients with advanced heart failure who no longer respond to conventional treatments. While initially focused on heart transplantation, the programme has evolved with medical advancements. Since 2001, we pioneered the use of mechanical heart assist devices which serve as a vital bridge-to-transplant. With their improved technology, these devices now offer enhanced survival rates and quality of life, making them a viable long-term destination therapy for many patients today. 

Since Singapore's first heart transplant in July 1990, NHCS has performed 103 heart transplantations, and 156 continuous-flow VAD implantations to-date. The programme has achieved numerous firsts, including Asia's first combined heart and liver transplant in 2009¹, the region's first HeartMate 3^TM Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation in 2015² and Southeast Asia’s youngest LVAD implantation for a 13-year-old-boy in 2022³. 

"Our heart transplant programme has evolved from a groundbreaking initiative to a comprehensive, end-to-end advanced heart failure care management," said Assistant Professor Louis Teo, Director, Heart Failure Programme, and Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiology, NHCS. "Today, we offer patients multiple options, from heart transplantation to the latest mechanical assist devices, providing not just a new lease of life but choices to those with advanced heart failure.    

Advancing Technology and Care 

The programme continues to push boundaries in the technological advancement of mechanical heart pumps and patient care. From the introduction of minimally invasive LVAD implantation techniques in 2014, to recent developments such as performing the first HeartMate^TM 3 BiVentricular Assist Device (BiVAD) implantation in 2024⁴ and percutaneous stenting of outflow graft blockages in LVAD in 2025⁵. For heart transplantation, Hepatitis B and HIV patients were included as potential recipients on the transplant waiting list in June 2022 and March 2024 respectively. These patients have already benefitted from this change, with a heart transplantation recently performed successfully on the first HIV-positive recipient in August 2025. 

"Each successful heart transplant and VAD implantation represents not just medical achievement, but a life transformed," said Ms Kerk Ka Lee, Senior Clinical Transplant Manager, Mechanical Circulatory Support, Heart & Lung Unit, NHCS. "Our multidisciplinary team comprising doctors, transplant coordinators, nurses, allied health professionals, and many others working behind the scenes, ensures that patients receive comprehensive care and support throughout their health journey." 

"The evolution of VAD therapy is marked by major improvements in size, design, and safety in the last 20 years, shifting from a temporary bridge-to-transplant to a viable long-term solution for heart failure. Patients not just live longer lives, but better lives - with most returning to normal activities and some to work," said Assistant Professor Tan Teing Ee, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Senior Consultant, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, NHCS. Asst Prof Tan, who is also Director, Heart Transplant and Mechanical Assist Device Programme, adds, "The next frontier is here: research in wireless technology, Al-powered monitoring, and advanced pump models promises greater patient freedom and outcomes in the future." 

Looking Ahead 

As NHCS continues its work in transforming the lives of patients with advanced heart failure, it looks forward to exciting developments in heart transplantation and VAD technology that could significantly impact the way we care for our patients. 

Advances in Heart Transplantation      

i. Monitoring and Treatment Innovation

Presently, biopsies are performed to monitor rejection in heart transplant recipients. With the advent of novel, non-invasive methods such as blood-based assays measuring donor-derived cell-free DNA, the reliance on invasive biopsies is expected to decrease. Enhanced protocols for managing infectious disease-positive donors have also expanded transplant opportunities, with successful outcomes reported in hepatitis C and HIV-positive donor hearts under careful antiviral management.    

ii. Organ Preservation and Assessment

Advanced organ preservation technologies are revolutionising heart transplantation in several overseas sites. Through normothermic perfusion systems, the assessment and revival of hearts after circulatory death are made possible. These innovations extend preservation times, allowing for better organ assessment and improved outcomes while expanding the donor pool significantly. These new techniques require thorough clinical research and careful evaluation to ensure safety, effectiveness, and sustainability before implementation locally.   

iii. Future Breakthrough Technologies

Xenotransplantation research shows promising results in overseas preclinical trials using genetically engineered pig hearts. Meanwhile, stem-cell therapy and tissue engineering advances offer new possibilities in the future for regenerating damaged heart tissue and repairing failing donor hearts. 

Latest Developments in VAD Technology 

i. Device Evolution for Enhanced Patient Safety and Experience

The next generation of VADs features fully implantable systems using transcutaneous energy transmission, eliminating potential driveline infections. These devices are smaller and more durable, with improved hemocompatibility reducing risks of bleeding and thrombosis. The enhanced bearing designs and materials extend device longevity for longer-term support. 

These fully implantable systems are powered wirelessly via magnetic induction or resonant coupling from an external source to an internal receiver coil, which then converts the energy to electrical power for the VAD. Efforts are ongoing to perfect this technology. With future VADs becoming completely wireless, patients can expect greater independence in their daily activities and hence, a significantly improved quality of life. These VADs are expected to be ready in the next five to 10 years. 

ii. Smart Systems Integration

Cloud-based monitoring systems with AI algorithms can detect early signs of complications such as pump thrombosis. Remote monitoring capabilities enable real-time device assessment and prompt intervention, improving patient safety and reducing hospital visits. These smart systems are currently undergoing enhancement for clinical evaluation. 

"As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to advancing heart failure care in Singapore through innovation and research," said Professor Yeo Khung Keong, Chief Executive Officer, NHCS. "Our focus is on expanding access to these life-saving therapies while developing next-generation treatments for our patients." 

References:

1. Asia's first combined heart and liver transplant | National Heart Centre Singapore

2. National Heart Centre Singapore performs Asia's first HeartMateTM 3 heart assist device implantation

3. NHCS' comprehensive suite of heart failure services brings new life to child of generational heart disease

4. A BiVAD is a mechanical pump implanted in both the right and left pumping chambers of the heart for patients whose heart is too weak to pump blood effectively from both sides. The HeartMate^TM 3 is the latest mechanical heart device model.

5. National Heart Centre Singapore performs advanced heart procedure, offering new hope for heart failure patients