An AUB medical team successfully performed the first "artificial heart" implant in Lebanon, thus saving the life of a 37-year-old man suffering from terminal heart failure, the AUB said in a statement issued on Thursday. It said the six-hour operation led by two AUB doctors took place at the American University of Beirut Medical Center Aug. 28. AUB deemed the operation "successful" as the patient survived the first critical 72 hours, showing improvements in all his vital signs. The "artificial heart" implant operation involves the insertion of a device called a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) that takes over the functions of the left ventricle of the heart, the dominant chamber which is responsible for pumping oxygenated blood via the aorta to the rest of the body. "The operation was a huge success as it was this patient's last chance at life." said Dr. Pierre Sfeir, the AUBMC surgeon who conducted the operation. "His vital organs ...