Page 23 - Inspire Health January/February 2015
P. 23
Photos courtesy of St.. Luke’s University Health Network
Dr. David Allen Dr. Jose Amortegui Dr. J. Raymond Fitzpatrick
“Patients with advanced heart failure provide temporary support to a patient already gone back to hunting and has lost 50
can be left with few choices to improve awaiting heart transplant or permanent pounds of water weight since the implant.
their quality of life,” says Allen, DO, the support to pump the heart.” “I feel good as far as health-wise
medical director for St. Luke’s Heart For the patient, the difference in the goes,” he said. “I’m getting better as the
Failure Program. The new hospital quality of life after getting the LVAD can days go along.”
program specializes in the treatment be dramatic. Even though there is some For his wife, his renewed lease on life
and management of patients in various risk of side effects, including blood clots and means she doesn’t have to worry about
stages of congestive heart failure. “Heart infections, the National Institutes of Health leaving him home alone to run errands.
transplants may not be readily available says improvements in the devices have greatly “It’s like being married to another
to local residents and may not be an reduced the risks associated with LVADs. person,” Lucille Werner says. “For the
option for all patients. Left ventricular For Werner and his wife, Lucille, they last 10 years, he’s been slowing up …
assist devices were developed to provide have seen improvements in his health each you could tell how he was suffering …
patients with life-sustaining circulatory day as he continues to recover and go to now the cough is gone, there’s no more
support for a failing heart. These devices, rehabilitation. He’s hoping to be well enough breathing treatments. He no longer drags
now available at St. Luke’s, can be used to next summer to travel on vacation. He’s his feet – he moves faster than I do.”
RIGHT: An illustration of the
HeartMate II Left Ventricular Device
(LVAD) shows how it works by taking
over pumping oxygen-rich-blood from
the lungs throughout the body.
BELOW: A photo of the actual device.
Photo and illustration courtesy of Thoratec Corp. Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s University Health Network
Ernest Werner with his wife, Lucille, enjoy
the great outdoors together.
January § February 2015 INSPIRE HEALTH 23
Dr. David Allen Dr. Jose Amortegui Dr. J. Raymond Fitzpatrick
“Patients with advanced heart failure provide temporary support to a patient already gone back to hunting and has lost 50
can be left with few choices to improve awaiting heart transplant or permanent pounds of water weight since the implant.
their quality of life,” says Allen, DO, the support to pump the heart.” “I feel good as far as health-wise
medical director for St. Luke’s Heart For the patient, the difference in the goes,” he said. “I’m getting better as the
Failure Program. The new hospital quality of life after getting the LVAD can days go along.”
program specializes in the treatment be dramatic. Even though there is some For his wife, his renewed lease on life
and management of patients in various risk of side effects, including blood clots and means she doesn’t have to worry about
stages of congestive heart failure. “Heart infections, the National Institutes of Health leaving him home alone to run errands.
transplants may not be readily available says improvements in the devices have greatly “It’s like being married to another
to local residents and may not be an reduced the risks associated with LVADs. person,” Lucille Werner says. “For the
option for all patients. Left ventricular For Werner and his wife, Lucille, they last 10 years, he’s been slowing up …
assist devices were developed to provide have seen improvements in his health each you could tell how he was suffering …
patients with life-sustaining circulatory day as he continues to recover and go to now the cough is gone, there’s no more
support for a failing heart. These devices, rehabilitation. He’s hoping to be well enough breathing treatments. He no longer drags
now available at St. Luke’s, can be used to next summer to travel on vacation. He’s his feet – he moves faster than I do.”
RIGHT: An illustration of the
HeartMate II Left Ventricular Device
(LVAD) shows how it works by taking
over pumping oxygen-rich-blood from
the lungs throughout the body.
BELOW: A photo of the actual device.
Photo and illustration courtesy of Thoratec Corp. Photo courtesy of St. Luke’s University Health Network
Ernest Werner with his wife, Lucille, enjoy
the great outdoors together.
January § February 2015 INSPIRE HEALTH 23
