First Heart Pump Implanted in Central Florida

Florida Hospital Team Gives Patient a Chance at a Heart Transplant by Implanting Titanium Heart Pump

The implantation of the Ventricular Assist Device was the first in Central Florida

 ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 2, 2010 - A titanium heart pump, weighing less than one pound, is keeping 50 year-old Darren Miller alive.  The pump, called a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) was surgically attached to Miller's heart and will help pump blood around his body.  Two external battery packs power the VAD that keeps blood flowing to all of his organs.  Not only will this pump will keep him alive while he waits for a donor, it will allow him to go home and live a normal life until a transplant can be performed.

"I never realized my heart was in such bad shape and now I am looking at a possible heart transplant," said Miller.  "It has all happened so fast, but I am so thankful the VAD was available to me so I can get back to my family and my work until we know for sure what the next course of action is."

Advanced heart and transplant surgeon, Dr. Lawrence McBride, implanted the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) last month at Florida Hospital's Cardiovascular Institute.  While Dr. McBride has performed hundreds of these procedures in other parts of the country, this is the first VAD to be implanted in Central Florida.

"It is vital to have this type of device available as a bridge to heart transplantation in Central Florida," said Dr. McBride, surgical director of the Florida Hospital heart transplant program and practicing member with Cardiovascular Surgeons, PA.  "These patients can be discharged with the device and stay at home while waiting for a transplant.  This means they are also close to the surgical and medical team without having to drive very far."

The VAD is battery-powered outside the body and a power cord connects the device attached to the patient's heart and the power supply. 

"There are some lifestyle adjustments that patients with a VAD must make," said Dr. Barbara Czerska, medical director of the Florida Hospital heart transplant program.  "Before going home the patient and the family learns how to operate the nuances of the device, and most find it easy to assimilate into their routines; their lives depend on it."

The combined experience of the Florida Hospital Cardiovascular Institute and the Florida Hospital Transplant Center, made it possible for Florida Hospital to launch the first heart transplant program in Central Florida.  Because of the experience of the heart transplant team, lead by Dr. McBride and Dr. Czerska, Florida Hospital was approved to use VADs to help patients bridge to transplantation.

            For media inquires only, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

www.floridahospitalnews.com

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