Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital has implanted a revolutionary heart device in a global first.

The breakthrough offers new hope for heart failure patients who need a transplant, mimicking a natural pulse.

The device is assisting patients such as 67-year-old Michael Smith, who underwent a world-first surgery to combat end stage heart failure.

Developed in France, the unique device called a CorWave is lined with an all-new undulating membrane driven by magnetic currents to create a pulse and pump blood in a way that is able to closely mimic the body's natural pattern.

The hospital hopes to fit the device in up to 20 Australian heart patients over three years.

Six hospitals around the world taking part in the study, including The Alfred in Melbourne.

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