Patient Treated with the World’s Smallest Heart Pump
Don Abrams, a 75-year-old retired engineer and geologist from Buffalo, returned to Mercy Hospital today to thank the physicians and caregivers who saved his life in February of 2020. He was also appreciative for the “world’s smallest heart pump” that allowed him to eventually recover. Hosted by the hospital and Abiomed, which produces the Impella heart pump device, the reunion was a rare and rewarding opportunity for Don’s caregivers to see him back to his normal life and to be recognized for the important jobs they do each day.
When Don arrived at the Catholic Health Heart Center at Mercy Hospital, he was diagnosed with cardiogenic shock, a life-threatening condition often caused by a heart attack in which a person’s heart suddenly can’t pump enough blood to maintain heart function. Performing a non-surgical, catheter-based heart procedure, interventional cardiologist Dr. Eram Chaudhry implanted an Impella CP® heart pump. Known as “the world’s smallest heart pump,” the Impella is minimally-invasive device designed to provide temporary support after heart failure or a heart attack.
While recovering in the ICU, Don suffered another cardiac arrest. This time, doctor’s determined he needed a higher level of support and the larger Impella 5.0 heart pump, was implanted by the cardiac surgery team. Don was then later transferred to University of Rochester Medical Center that operates the only Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Center in Upstate New York for the level of care he needed. He returned home three weeks later on St. Patrick’s Day with his very own recovered heart.
“I am so thankful to be to be alive and here today,” said Abrams addressing the doctors and nurses at the reunion. “I am feeling fine and recently traveled to see my grandchildren for the first time since December of 2019…I was able to dance with my 2-year-old granddaughter. She is a better dancer than I am,” he joked.
Abrams wife, Chari, who accompanied him, added, “You have been the best people to me as I was going through this crisis. You saved my husband and you saved me through your compassion—we thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts.”
Dr. Chaudhry said she was happy to have the chance to see her former patient doing so well and for having this innovative technology available at the Heart Center. “I am grateful to Mercy Hospital and Catholic Health for allowing us to carry out our vision and our work that we do on a daily basis.”
Mercy Hospital President Eddie Bratko acknowledged the entire Mercy Hospital team for the work they do each day. “We are very proud of our doctors, nurses and all our caregivers who are committed to high quality care,” he said. “Don’s story is another testament of not only the professionalism and expertise of our staff, but the compassion we show to our patients and their families on a daily basis.”
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Harsh Jain rounded up the sentiments of the group by saying to Don and Chari, “Thanks for coming back and reuniting with us to let us know how Don has been living and enjoying his life and wonderful family. The opportunity that you provided us today is very gratifying and very hard for me to put into words. Thank you very much and continued good health to you.”
Mercy Hospital is one of the more than 2,000 hospitals in the United States that use Impella products. The Impella platform of products were developed by Abiomed Inc., based in Danvers, Massachusetts.
