AiBotIstanbul, 26 June 2026 – In a significant achievement for Türkiye’s healthcare sector, the country’s first open-heart surgery using a domestically developed heart-lung machine has been successfully performed. The pioneering operation utilized the LIFELINE HLM, a heart-lung machine designed and developed by ASELSAN in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
The innovative device was put to the test at a leading hospital in Istanbul, where it successfully supported the life-saving procedure of a patient undergoing a complex open-heart surgery. This landmark operation marks a major milestone for Türkiye’s medical sector, highlighting the country’s growing capabilities in research, development, and innovation.
The LIFELINE HLM is the result of a collaborative effort between ASELSAN, a leading Turkish defense and technology company, and the Ministry of Health. This partnership reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to promoting healthcare innovation and supporting domestic industrial development. The heart-lung machine is designed to provide a safe and reliable means of supporting patients undergoing open-heart surgery, ensuring their life-sustaining organs receive the necessary oxygen and blood supply.
Following the successful operation, the LIFELINE HLM is expected to be introduced at more hospitals across the country, expanding patient access to cutting-edge medical treatments and technologies. This will not only improve healthcare outcomes but also contribute to strengthening Türkiye’s position as a hub for medical innovation in the region.
The development and deployment of the LIFELINE HLM demonstrate the country’s capabilities in engineering, research, and development, showcasing Türkiye’s ability to design and manufacture complex medical devices that can compete with international benchmarks. This achievement underscores the importance of collaboration between government institutions, private sector companies, and healthcare professionals in driving healthcare innovation and improving patient care.
The successful deployment of the LIFELINE HLM also sets the stage for further collaborations between ASELSAN and the Ministry of Health, with potential applications extending to other areas of medical research and development. As Türkiye continues to prioritize healthcare innovation, the LIFELINE HLM marks an important step towards establishing a more robust and self-sufficient medical sector.