Page 22 - Inspire Health January/February 2015
P. 22
Ernest Werner got his Courtesy of St. Luke’s Hospital
life back …lock, stock
and barrel.
Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s
University Health Network
TakingATA NEW
LEASE
ON LIFE
Ernest Werner of Bath hunted By: Linda Doell, Editor
all his life until his heart gave
out and he had to give up the bay were no longer working. Faced with Mikovits, VAD Coordinator, evaluated
beloved hobby. the prospect of 72 hours to live, he agreed Werner’s medical ability to receive the
“I couldn’t walk into the woods,” he to have a heart-assist device implanted — the implant. He was successfully implanted
says. “I wasn’t able to breathe. I could only first at St. Luke’s University Health Network. with the HeartMate II Left Ventricular
walk 15 to 20 feet before I had to stop “I didn’t have too much of a choice,” Assist Device (LVAD).
and rest and my heart was pounding — I he says. “Either that or go into a home and The LVAD works by taking over the
couldn’t go shopping or hunting. I couldn’t let hospice take over — I wouldn’t have pumping ability of the weakened heart’s left
even take a vacation.” lasted that long.” ventricle, which is responsible for pumping
During a hospital stay last summer, Instead, Werner chose to have a oxygen-rich blood from the lungs throughout
Werner, 68, learned the medicines he left ventricular assist device implanted. the body. According to its manufacturer,
took to keep his advanced heart failure at Cardiologist Dr. David Allen and cardiac Thoratec Corp., the LVAD can pump up to
surgeons J. Raymond Fitzpatrick, MD, 10 liters of blood per minute — the entire
and Jose Amortegui, MD, along with John output of a healthy heart.
22 INSPIRE HEALTH January § February 20155
life back …lock, stock
and barrel.
Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s
University Health Network
TakingATA NEW
LEASE
ON LIFE
Ernest Werner of Bath hunted By: Linda Doell, Editor
all his life until his heart gave
out and he had to give up the bay were no longer working. Faced with Mikovits, VAD Coordinator, evaluated
beloved hobby. the prospect of 72 hours to live, he agreed Werner’s medical ability to receive the
“I couldn’t walk into the woods,” he to have a heart-assist device implanted — the implant. He was successfully implanted
says. “I wasn’t able to breathe. I could only first at St. Luke’s University Health Network. with the HeartMate II Left Ventricular
walk 15 to 20 feet before I had to stop “I didn’t have too much of a choice,” Assist Device (LVAD).
and rest and my heart was pounding — I he says. “Either that or go into a home and The LVAD works by taking over the
couldn’t go shopping or hunting. I couldn’t let hospice take over — I wouldn’t have pumping ability of the weakened heart’s left
even take a vacation.” lasted that long.” ventricle, which is responsible for pumping
During a hospital stay last summer, Instead, Werner chose to have a oxygen-rich blood from the lungs throughout
Werner, 68, learned the medicines he left ventricular assist device implanted. the body. According to its manufacturer,
took to keep his advanced heart failure at Cardiologist Dr. David Allen and cardiac Thoratec Corp., the LVAD can pump up to
surgeons J. Raymond Fitzpatrick, MD, 10 liters of blood per minute — the entire
and Jose Amortegui, MD, along with John output of a healthy heart.
22 INSPIRE HEALTH January § February 20155
