Saudi Breakthrough Paves the Way for First Robotic Heart Transplant in the U.S.A

On the occasion of a landmark event for global healthcare collaboration, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center in Houston announced the successful completion of the first fully robotic heart transplant in the United States. This procedure follows a groundbreaking operation performed in September 2024 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a major milestone in the evolution of advanced surgical techniques.

The intervention, carried out by a multidisciplinary Saudi team under the leadership of Professor Feras Khaliel, was the world’s first fully robotic heart transplant. It was successfully performed on a 16-year-old patient suffering from end-stage heart failure, using a minimally invasive chest-preserving technique.

This innovative approach, later patented by Professor Khaliel, significantly reduces the risk of infection and accelerates patient recovery—an especially crucial advancement for immunosuppressed transplant recipients. Since then, the technique has been applied at KFSHRC to both adult and pediatric patients.

Professor Khaliel now leads efforts to train institutions in the United States and Europe in this surgical innovation, with a strong focus on advancing clinical research and establishing new global standards for complex and pioneering robotic procedures.

The adoption of the method developed at KFSHRC by the American surgical team reflects international recognition of Saudi Arabia’s leadership in high-impact medical innovation. It also underscores the Kingdom’s growing influence on the future of global healthcare.

In recognition of this medical breakthrough, Professor Khaliel and the leadership team of KFSHRC were honored by His Royal Highness the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The procedure has garnered international recognition and wide media coverage, positioning it as a decisive advancement in the field of heart transplantation.

This success is not an isolated case. The Riyadh-based innovation has given rise to numerous medical advances and has contributed to a broader evolution in global clinical practice. As such, Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is increasingly regarded not only as a regional leader, but also as a source of transformative models for medical care worldwide.

Caroline Haïat