King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) is making significant strides in innovative healthcare, particularly through its advanced robotic heart surgery programme. Since its establishment in 2019, the programme has experienced impressive growth, increasing from 105 robotic heart surgeries in its first year to 400, culminating in the groundbreaking achievement of the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant. This milestone not only elevates Saudi Arabia’s profile in global healthcare but also showcases KFSHRC’s commitment to enhancing treatment outcomes and patient experiences through medical innovation.
Showcasing Innovation at Global Health Exhibition
As a Platinum Healthcare Sponsor at the Global Health Exhibition, KFSHRC is presenting the transformative impact of its robotic heart surgery programme, which utilises cutting-edge technologies and stands out as a distinctive offering in the Middle East. The programme ranks among the top five worldwide for complex robotic multi-valve heart surgeries, solidifying its position as a leader in the field.
Honouring Medical Excellence
On the inaugural day of the Global Health Exhibition, Professor Feras Khaliel, Head of Cardiac Surgery and Director of the Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery Programme at KFSHRC, was awarded the Health Research Excellence: Applied Innovation Award by the Research, Development, and Innovation Authority. This accolade recognises his outstanding contributions to healthcare innovation, research, and knowledge enhancement.
A Historic Milestone in Heart Transplant Surgery
The award commemorates Professor Khaliel’s successful completion of the world’s first robotic heart transplant on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage (Class IV) heart failure. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in heart transplant surgery, adopting a minimally invasive approach that reduces pain, accelerates recovery times, and mitigates complications.
Advancements in Robotic Cardiac Procedures
KFSHRC’s robotic heart surgery programme has introduced a variety of innovative cardiac procedures, such as robotic multi-valve surgeries and robotic aortic valve replacements. The integration of advanced mechanical circulatory support (MCS) technologies, including ventricular assist devices (VADs), has improved patient outcomes significantly. These devices assist the heart in pumping blood, serving either as a bridge to transplantation or as a long-term solution for patients ineligible for transplants. The programme has achieved survival rates of up to 98%, reduced recovery times by 30%, and decreased blood transfusions and hospital stays by over 50%, all while cutting costs by 40% compared to traditional methods.
Expertise in Complex Cases
KFSHRC is recognised for its capability to perform robotic surgeries on a diverse age range of patients, from 14 to 78 years old, and for its expertise in managing complex, high-risk cases, including those with severe obesity and patients requiring repeat surgeries. Notably, the programme excels in performing robotic surgeries on heart patients who have previously undergone three operations, outperforming its counterparts in American hospitals.
Global Recognition and Impact
KFSHRC has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally among the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year. It has also been recognised as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. In the same year, KFSHRC was named among the world’s best 250 hospitals and included in the World’s Best Smart Hospitals list for 2025 by Newsweek magazine.
