The Queen’s Medical Center has achieved a historic first for Hawaiʻi with the successful launch of the state’s first comprehensive durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation program. The program’s inaugural procedure, Hawaiʻi’s first continuous-flow LVAD implantation, was performed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and caregivers.
The procedure took place on Thursday, October 1, and lasted approximately three and a half hours. The surgical team was led by Dr. Muhammad Anwer, a Queen’s cardiac surgeon with extensive experience in LVAD implantation and heart transplantation, who worked in close collaboration with Dr. Jesus Pino Moreno, an advanced heart failure cardiologist and Director of Queen’s Center for Advanced Heart Failure and LVAD. Dozens of other caregivers also contributed to the procedure’s success.
The patient, a 34-year-old man from ʻEwa Beach is recovering well. Within days of surgery, he was up and walking with the assistance of Queen’s caregivers. He has since continued to make excellent progress and is expected to be discharged home later today, significantly ahead of the anticipated recovery timeline.
Historically, patients in Hawaiʻi with advanced stages of heart failure requiring LVAD have needed to travel to the mainland to receive this therapy. With the establishment of Queen’s LVAD implantation program, eligible patients can now receive this lifesaving treatment closer to home. An LVAD is a surgically implanted mechanical pump that assists the heart’s left ventricle in circulating blood throughout the body. For patients with advanced heart failure, the device can improve symptoms, functional capacity, and quality of life, while serving as either a bridge to heart transplantation or a long-term treatment option for patients who are not transplant candidates.
“We are extremely proud to be able to perform this procedure here in Hawaiʻi at Queen’s,” said Kapunahele Montgomery, Vice President of Patient Care for Cardiac Services at The Queen’s Medical Center. “We have a tremendous team of providers who worked tirelessly to make this option a reality for Hawaiʻi residents. We know the hardships that come with having to travel to the mainland for long periods to undergo medical procedures that can’t be done in Hawaiʻi.”
The development of this program has been a collaborative effort spanning more than five years, with much of the intensive preparation occurring over the past two years. This involved extensive coordination and training with community partners such as Honolulu EMS, Honolulu Fire Department, intermediate care facilities, dialysis centers, and Hawaiian Electric to establish the infrastructure necessary to safely care for patients living with these devices. In May 2026, Queen’s achieved DNV certification, successfully completing a critical step in establishing the hospital as a comprehensive LVAD implantation center and paving the way for the program’s first patient.
“This is more than the successful implantation of a medical device. It represents a fundamental advancement in what we can offer patients with advanced heart failure at Queen’s, and a major milestone for cardiovascular care in Hawaiʻi,” said Dr. Michael Tanoue, Chief of Cardiology for The Queen’s Health Systems. “Building a program of this complexity requires extraordinary preparation and commitment across the entire health care system. We undertook this challenge because we believe the people of Hawaiʻi deserve access to the highest levels of cardiovascular care without having to leave their families and communities to receive treatment. This landmark achievement builds upon the foundation we have established and reinforces Queen’s commitment to elevating the standard of cardiac care in Hawaiʻi.”
“We remain deeply committed to expanding our services to ensure our patients have access to the most comprehensive care available right here in Hawaiʻi,” said Jason Chang, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Queen’s Health Systems. “This is just one example of how we are always looking to keep care closer to home by utilizing the latest forms of technology paired with our world-class team of innovative physicians and caregivers.”
The Queen’s Heart Institute at The Queen’s Medical Center is a multidisciplinary team of cardiovascular specialists dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care for the people of Hawaiʻi. By integrating advanced cardiovascular medicine, cardiac and vascular surgery, specialized diagnostic imaging, and innovative treatment options, the Institute delivers coordinated services across the full spectrum of heart and vascular disease. From the management of common cardiovascular conditions to highly specialized interventions and therapies, Queen’s remains committed to expanding access to high-quality care and advancing cardiovascular medicine throughout the state.
