Saudi Hospital Uses One Donor Heart to Treat Two Children

Pioneering Pediatric Heart Transplant

King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh has successfully treated two children using a single donor heart in what the hospital described as the first pediatric domino heart transplant of its kind in the Middle East and Europe.

One Donor Heart Benefits Two Patients

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the donor heart was transplanted into a 12-year-old boy suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy and end-stage heart failure. After his heart was removed, doctors found that his pulmonary valve and root remained healthy and suitable for transplantation.

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Second Child Receives Healthy Heart Tissue

A 9-year-old boy with severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation was simultaneously treated through a complex Ross procedure. He had previously undergone two procedures to repair his affected heart valve.

How the Domino Transplant Worked

During the procedure, surgeons moved the younger child's healthy pulmonary valve into the aortic position to replace his damaged valve. The pulmonary position was then reconstructed using the healthy pulmonary valve and root taken from the 12-year-old patient's explanted heart.

Living Tissue May Grow With the Child

The procedure allowed the first child to become both a heart transplant recipient and a source of viable cardiac tissue for the second patient. Because the transplanted valve consists of living tissue, it has the potential to grow with the child and may reduce the need for repeated valve replacement procedures.

Complex Teamwork Behind the Surgery

The operation required coordination between heart transplant specialists, pediatric and congenital cardiac surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, heart failure specialists, cardiac imaging teams, anesthesiologists and critical care professionals. Perfusion, nursing and transplant coordination teams also supported the procedure.

Saudi Hospital Highlights Medical Achievement

Dr. Hani Alsergani, executive director of the Heart Centre of Excellence at KFSH, said the procedure was among the rarest forms of partial heart transplantation in children. The hospital said the achievement builds on its experience in heart transplantation and complex congenital cardiac surgery. KFSH also reported strong international rankings and recognition in 2026.