Former NCCU Football Player Becomes 2nd in World to Receive Total Artificial Heart
DURHAM, NC – In a remarkable medical breakthrough, Donavon Harbison, an Alamance County resident diagnosed with heart failure, has become the second person in the world to receive a total artificial heart. This innovative device has allowed him to regain enough strength to undergo a heart transplant successfully.
Harbison, an education consultant from Graham and former offensive lineman at North Carolina Central University, joined a clinical trial at Duke University Hospital in August of this year. During the trial, his heart was removed and replaced with a BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH), which circulated his blood while he awaited a donor’s heart.
“Duke Health is the reason I’m still here,” Harbison stated.
At just 34 years old, Harbison is an active father of three, with a fourth child on the way. He was diagnosed with heart failure in January, with his condition traced to a gene mutation that hindered his body from producing the protein necessary for proper heart function.
“I was told by my doctors, ‘When things get bad for you, it’s going to get bad really fast,'” Harbison recalled. And indeed, they did.
“It was shocking,” added his wife, Lindsey Harbison.
Dr. Adam DeVore, a transplant cardiologist at Duke, praised Harbison’s bravery throughout the ordeal. “He continued to get sicker and sicker, but BiVACOR is a total artificial heart incorporating new technology. It replaces all four chambers of the heart and provides strong support, enough to keep him healthy while waiting for a transplant,” DeVore explained. “He was able to get up and walk around, giving his organs the support they needed, and he felt much better.”
After ten days with the BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart, Harbison’s condition stabilized, and he received a donor heart, marking a second chance at life.
“I want to thank the family who honored the donor’s wishes,” Harbison expressed. “I am beyond grateful. No one deserves a second chance at life, but I got one. I encourage others to become organ donors.”
Dr. DeVore emphasized the significance of successfully implanting the device in humans. “The message to patients and families dealing with heart failure is that new technologies are emerging all the time,” he said. “There are places that are innovating and investing in these programs. We’re [Duke Health] one of those. We aim to offer this therapy and transplant options to as many patients in need as possible.”
The BiVACOR device has been implanted in four patients nationwide, with the fourth procedure occurring recently in Cincinnati. Duke doctors are preparing to perform the procedure on a fifth patient soon, following the first successful implantation in Texas.
“Now, I’m looking forward to making memories with my family—my kids, my wife—just doing the things you often take for granted, like putting my kids to bed at night,” Harbison concluded.
Photos courtesy of Duke Health