Gateshead teen gets battery-powered heart

Teenager Andrew Ames is the first person in the world to receive a battery-powered heart. The “heartware” ventricular device is intended to replace the need for heart transplants.

Andrew, 13, who suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy underwent surgery at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The procedure which creates an artificial heartbeat is usually only given to adults, however Andrew needed the surgery to save his life.

The heart pumps cost £60,000 and doctors hope that they can become a permanent replacement to transplant surgery within the next 10 years.