SAEDNEWS: No one could have imagined that Craig Lewis would survive, as he suffered from a rare disease that ultimately stopped his heart.
According to Saed News’ Society Desk, Craig refused to give up and continued fighting for his life—so much so that he is now recognized as the only living person in the world who survives without a heart. Craig had been diagnosed with amyloidosis, a disease in which the body produces abnormal proteins. In his case, these proteins caused blood clots in his heart. As each day passed, his heart function deteriorated, and even a pacemaker could no longer sustain him.
Not only had Craig’s family lost hope, but he himself was beginning to believe that he would soon have to say goodbye to his loved ones. Then something extraordinary happened. Two doctors from the Texas Heart Institute, upon learning about Craig’s condition, offered a groundbreaking solution that could save his life. If successful, their proposal would represent a major milestone in medical history.
Dr. Billy Cohn and Dr. Bud Frazier suggested to Craig’s family that they remove his heart and implant a device that would circulate his blood without any heartbeat. Craig Lewis agreed, and this procedure kept him alive. The story was so remarkable that filmmaker Jeremy Zagar, a two-time Emmy nominee in 2010, documented the life of the first heartless human in full detail.
Early Experiments
Drs. Cohn and Frazier had been working for years on a project called “Total Artificial Heart.” They tested their device on nearly 50 calves. Each time the device replaced a calf’s heart, the animal would stand up the next day and continue normal activities—eating, sleeping, moving, even running—despite having no heart to pump blood.
When these early trials proved successful, media attention surged. Dr. Cohn explained: “If you place a stethoscope on one of these calves, you hear no heartbeat. An ECG shows only a straight line. Yet, they are alive, and blood circulates through their veins.”
The First Human Without a Heart
Craig Lewis’s condition worsened daily, leaving doctors increasingly anxious. He was only a short time from death. After hearing Drs. Cohn and Frazier’s proposal, Craig’s family had to make a swift decision. In March 2011, his wife agreed, allowing the doctors to remove his heart and implant the device.
How the Device Works
The device placed in Craig’s chest functions like a turbine, propelling blood through his body. It uses broad, blade-like components to circulate blood without any pumping action. While other patients, including former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, have similar devices, those typically assist one of the heart’s ventricles rather than completely replace the heart.
A Successful Procedure
In the operating room, Craig’s family anxiously awaited news. When the doctors emerged, they confirmed the procedure was successful—but the true test was whether Craig would regain consciousness. Astonishingly, he did. He opened his eyes and even spoke with the attending physicians.
Craig remained in the intensive care unit. Doctors and nurses placed stethoscopes on his chest, but no heartbeat was heard—only a faint whirring sound. His wife, Linda, recalls the moment vividly: “I listened closely, and all I could hear was a buzzing. It was unbelievable. He had no heartbeat—because he had no heart.”
