Patient Stories

Lance

Lance, the basketball player with an unyielding spirit, faced an unprecedented challenge when diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. With an ejection fraction below 10%, his remarkable journey to a temporary total artificial heart became a testament to human determination and the pursuit of extraordinary possibilities.

Johnny

Johnny faced a formidable opponent that threatened to extinguish his passion forever, cardiomyopathy. Despite a “widow-maker” heart attack and a relentless battle for survival, he defied the odds and embarked on an extraordinary journey towards a temporary total artificial heart.

Jaheim

Jaheim’s journey, marked by unwavering strength and resilience, defied fate as he triumphed over hypoplastic left heart syndrome. From four heart transplants to becoming the youngest recipient of a total artificial heart, his story radiates hope.

Tom

In a shocking twist, Tom found himself caught in an electrifying “v-tach” storm enduring an astonishing 11 shocks in just five minutes. Yet, as he awakened in the ICU, the resolute truth dawned upon him: he needed a swift intervention to defy the odds. For over 500 days, SynCardia’s temporary total artificial heart has stood by Tom’s side, illuminating the profound power of hope amidst life’s most extraordinary moments.

Danielle

With a vibrant spirit, Danielle gracefully embraced life’s challenges. Born with Marfan syndrome, her journey took an unexpected turn at 22 with the disruptive diagnosis of endocarditis. In the midst of uncertainty, Danielle’s parents chose the shimmering path of a temporary total artificial heart.

Stan

Stan’s unwavering spirit illuminated his path as he faced the challenges of living with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD). Fate dealt its card on the basketball court, revealing his pivotal diagnosis at 16, which later evolved into biventricular dysplasia, calling for immediate action.

Bob

Bob faced the challenges of cardiomyopathy with unwavering determination. Despite developing atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, Bob’s resilient spirit propelled him to a transformative path of embracing a healthier lifestyle. When his heart and kidneys called for urgent intervention, the innovative solution of a temporary total artificial heart emerged as a beacon of hope, promising him a bridge to a new chapter of life.

Randy

Randy found solace in the world of athleticism. Despite facing rheumatic fever not once, but twice, his love for the game pushed him to pursue a career in semi-professional baseball and various other sports. As his condition continued to deteriorate, doctors orchestrated a symphony of hope by implanting SynCardia’s temporary total artificial heart.

Steve

Steve faced the overwhelming battle of left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiomyopathy, making every breath a struggle until he suffered from cardiac arrest and fell into a coma. With no alternative, the medical team turned to a temporary total artificial heart as his only hope for survival.

Danny

Amidst a bewildering journey and countless doctor’s visits, Danny, a radiology technologist, refused to succumb to uncertainty. From being told nothing was wrong to the revelation of advanced heart failure, his unwavering intuition led him forward. Danny embraced the lifeline offered by an LVAD, only to encounter a blood clot forming on the pump.

Jordan

Jordan, a vibrant 17-year-old, defies the odds with a heart filled with determination, despite congenital heart defects and the challenges of end-stage heart failure and kidney insufficiency. In a remarkable display of hope, doctors implanted a temporary total artificial heart, paving the way for a brighter future and the possibility of a heart transplant.

Chris

Chris has a lot of experience toiling amidst the frigid winds and relentless challenges in Alaska’s frigid oil fields. Yet, fate dealt a harsh blow as he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and an irregular heartbeat. Undeterred by the odds, Chris defied the unforgiving environment, maintaining his fitness while powered by a temporary total artificial heart, leading to a seamless recovery once bridged to his new heart.

Lexi

At age 10, Lexi’s first heart transplant brought a glimmer of hope, but the specter of severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy persisted. Undeterred by numerous health challenges, she courageously confronted the storm, and when her donor heart faltered and organ failure ensued, SynCardia’s temporary total artificial heart offered a lifeline of hope.

Pat

Born with a condition that had taken the lives of two siblings, Pat faced the daunting reality of his own mortality as his strength waned. Too weak for an LVAD, he found solace in the transformative potential of SynCardia’s temporary total artificial heart, holding onto a glimmer of hope in the face of adversity.

Tiernee

At age 12, Tiernee bravely battled cancer, enduring the loss of a kidney and the scars of chemotherapy on her heart. Undeterred by setbacks, she found renewed hope in SynCardia’s temporary total artificial heart after her first transplant fell short. Tiernee’s indomitable spirit persisted, guiding her through the darkest of times towards a brighter future.