Singer TANK (Lv Jianzhong) from the island of Taiwan, was on the verge of death due to familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complicated by liver failure. At the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU), he successfully underwent Asia's first simultaneous heart and liver transplantation for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy complicated by liver failure and was discharged from the hospital on April 7, 2025.

The simultaneous heart and liver transplantation is an extremely challenging procedure with complex perioperative management and high requirements for multidisciplinary collaboration. Only a few medical centers worldwide can perform it, making it the "Everest" in the field of organ transplantation.

Professor Wang Jian'an, Chairman of SAHZU and Chair of Heart Center, expressed great relief at TANK's discharge. He pointed out, "From the first simultaneous liver-lung transplantation in China to today's successful simultaneous heart-liver transplantation, this achievement is the result of collaborative efforts from the transplantation center, heart center, ICU, anesthesia, general practice, medical imaging, nursing, and other teams. It is also the outcome of the hospital's commitment to innovation, talent development, and high-level joint research on major diseases.”

Professor Wang Weilin, President of SAHZU and Director of Transplant Center, was also the chief surgeon for TANK. "Our Transplant Center enjoys a profound historical legacy and heritage, demonstrating internationally leading technical strength and innovation capabilities in the field of organ and multi-organ transplantation. A few years ago, SAHZU successfully completed China's first simultaneous liver and double-lung transplantation, with the patient hiking up Mount Tai three years post-surgery. Today, the 'simultaneous heart-liver transplantation' is another exploration of advanced and sophisticated surgeries by our center, holding significant importance in the field of organ transplantation”, said Prof. Wang.

At the end of March 2024, TANK visited SAHZU for the 1st time. At that time, his physical condition, especially his heart and liver function, was already in a dire state. After a comprehensive examination, TANK was diagnosed with multiple severe conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, decompensated liver cirrhosis, and heart failure. Doctors at SAHZU learned that TANK had previously visited several large comprehensive hospitals on both sides of the Taiwan Strait with a pacemaker but had not received a definitive treatment. The progression of his heart disease had gradually overwhelmed his liver.

Faced with such a complex medical condition, specialists from the transplantation center, comprehensive ICU, anesthesia and surgery department, general practice, radiology, ultrasound, and other departments gathered together. After repeated evaluations, they concluded that TANK's hereditary hypertrophic cardiomyopathy had led to congestive liver cirrhosis, with concurrent heart and liver failure. Traditional single-organ transplantation could not address the root cause, and they unanimously decided that only a "simultaneous heart-liver transplantation" could cure his condition and save his life.

In the following days, TANK persistently received conservative treatment at the hospital while actively communicating with doctors, hoping for a turnaround in his conditions. On November 21, 2024, he finally received organs from a donor who had suffered from severe traumatic brain injury, leading to brain death. TANK underwent the "simultaneous heart-liver transplantation" at SAHZU with the collaborative efforts of Prof. Wang Weilin's liver transplantation team, Prof. Dong Aiqiang's heart transplantation team, Prof. Yan Min's anesthesia team, Prof. Huang Man's intensive care team, and the nursing team.

The surgery lasted 12 hours and was ultimately successful after arduous efforts. TANK finally received a healthy heart and liver and was transferred to the general ICU for further treatment. The road to recovery post-surgery was also filled with challenges. TANK hovered near death's door multiple times, but it was the meticulous care of the high-level medical team, the unwavering support of his family, the steadfast determination of his agent team, and his own tenacious will that pulled him back time and again.

Now, TANK is recovering well. He told us, "I've never felt my heart beat so strongly before!"