Earlier this month, a patient with advanced heart failure at UMC Utrecht became the first in Europe to receive a BrioVAD ventricular assist device. The new system is being investigated in a European study and may potentially offer advantages over the existing assist device. For UMC Utrecht, the implantation marks a new milestone in a long history of innovation in the field of mechanical circulatory support.

A new step for patients with advanced heart failure

For people with advanced heart failure can a heart assist device make the difference between having hardly any energy left and participating in daily life again. support heartA Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), also known as a Left Ventricular Assist Device, supports blood circulation when medication or other treatments are insufficient. The device pumps blood from the left ventricle into the main artery, thereby taking over a significant part of the heart's work.

Earlier this month, a multidisciplinary team from UMC Utrecht implanted a BrioVAD ventricular assist device for the first time in Europe. The implantation took place within the European BRIOLIFE study, in which ten European centers will participate. “This is the first time we have been able to monitor this new assist device within a European research context. This gives us more insight into the performance of the system as well as the experiences of patients,” say cardiothoracic surgeon Faiz Ramjankhan, principal investigator of the study at UMC Utrecht, and cardiologist Mariusz Szymanski, who is responsible for patient selection within the study.

For the patient, participating in the study meant an important but also nerve-wracking choice: “When I heard that I qualified for this artificial heart, it felt right almost immediately. Of course, I found it nerve-wracking that I would be the first patient in Europe, but I was well-informed and was able to talk to many people about it. Ultimately, I knew: I have to do this. I am still at the beginning of my recovery process, but I am incredibly happy that I made this choice.”

What is new about the artificial heart?

The BrioVAD ventricular assist device was developed for patients with advanced left-sided heart failure. According to the researchers, the system distinguishes itself from existing assist devices in several respects. The pump is smaller and lighter, potentially making it suitable for more patients. The external components have also been redesigned, making the system easier to wear and use.

Another notable difference is the drivetrain: the cable that connects the pump inside the body to the controller and batteries outside the body. This cable is thinner and more flexible than in many existing systems. Researchers expect that this increases ease of use and possibly also reduces the risk of infections.

The European BRIOLIFE study aims to provide more insight into the system's performance and long-term patient experiences. Szymanski explains: “The BrioVAD has features that make the system interesting to investigate, such as the compact design and the flexible drivetrain. At the same time, we do not yet know exactly what that means for patients and their quality of life in daily practice. That is precisely why this study is important.” Ramjankhan adds: “The fact that UMC Utrecht is the first center in Europe to participate fits well with our years of experience with heart assist care and research.”

For doctors and researchers, the implantation marks the beginning of a new phase in which they gain experience with this new generation of artificial heart.

For the patient, the coming period will primarily be focused on recovery and rehabilitation. “I need to take it easy now and build up my fitness step by step. My biggest goal is to be able to play outside with my son again soon. I look forward to having energy again for my family, my hobbies, and the ordinary things in life.”

This article was published by UMC Utrecht on June 23, 2026; read the full story here.