Originally Posted By LuLu Wow, my family just heard the news that my cousin and her hubby have been on the TV news in Philadelphia, as he was the first one in the area to have this surgery. It was done at U of Penn almost 2 weeks ago now. Pray that he'll recover well... it's my understanding that he's waiting for a transplant, so I hope that all goes smoothly. Geez, I guess I have to go google them to find out more, LOL!
Originally Posted By avromark **Cross fingers** Hope his cardiologist is good. Seems like it so far. Good luck using President Bushes "The Googles" We all know you can handle it I see live people!
Originally Posted By LuLu New Device Keeps Man Alive With No Heart <a href="http://www.nbc10.com/health/11055645/detail.html" target="_blank">http://www.nbc10.com/health/11 055645/detail.html</a> "His doctors call Gary Onufer, 46, a brave medical pioneer. He has no heart in his body. His EKG is a flat line, and yet, he's alive." Well, now I know a litle more!!
Originally Posted By avromark I'm glad they have the technology he can use as interim. I'm glad he's ok. But this may not mean much from me because I wish the same thing to everyone.
Originally Posted By LuLu Well, one of the articles I read said he only had 40% chance of survival w/o this artificial heart, now he has 80%. Of course, that's assuming they get him a heart. He can't leave the hospital with this device! Now, that's no fun! I also read that he had "biventricular end-stage heart failure and irreversible cardiogenic shock." Sounds serious... It's pretty freaky hearing of 2 young, healthy men having such extreme heart problems, on the same day!
Originally Posted By Mary Poppins Wow, Lulu, I didn't know they had progressed so far with artificial hearts. This is the first I've heard of the doctors using one. And, you say he can leave the hospital? Unbelievable. That's quite a coincidence that it is your cousin's husband. Small world! I wish he gets a new heart in a recordtime.
Originally Posted By Elderp wow pretty interesting. Sounds like this is a great technology to give someone a lifeline untill a replacement can come through.
Originally Posted By avromark So basically he can't pump the blood out of his heart to the rest of his body. I think she said he can't, that's why he'll get to know his room well, I know of patients who count the dents in the walls (hard to avoid with all the equipment that goes in and out), he'll now he should keep his blood oxygen levels at above 90+/- depending on hospital policy, he'll get to love the 10 to 30 channels on the TV, he'll enjoy the beautiful pattern of the curtains, love the flicker of fluorescent lights. Yep all in all, cheerful. But doubling his chance of survival is good. It's better then the chances he would have had when he was 10.
Originally Posted By momof4boys Thanks for the link. It is amazing what medical science can do. It sounds like maybe he has the same heart disease as my son, Nathan. Nathan's heart disease was caused by a virus- luckily, Nathan's has stabilized right now on medications. But knowing that this could change in the future, it is comforting to know that doctors/scientists have come up with another "bridge to transplant". This is the first one I have seen where the diseased heart is completely removed. Keep us informed on how he is doing.
Originally Posted By LuLu momof4 - it's called the "temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t)." They'll probably have even more incredible devices in the future, should your Nathan ever need help. It is amazing what they can do! I'm glad to hear Nathan is doing well now. Mary P - no, he can't leave the hospital, he has to stay "plugged in" ;-) I'm not sure if he can walk around with a generator perhaps! I'll let you know if I find out more. Thank you all for the well wishes!
Originally Posted By bloona Wow, amazing. Get well thoughts and wishes and hope he gets what he needs to do this asap. hugs to him and your family.
Originally Posted By DlandJB Sending many prayers to your cousin and family. It is simply amazing what can be done and I pray it will hold him until a donor heart can be found.
Originally Posted By Labuda Oh, wow - this is the first I've seen this. Just googled Gary Onufer and read some stuff from right after the surgery. Is your cousin's DH still doing well, I hope, Lulu? Any luck yet finding him a human heart? It's a pity that another person will have to die in order for him tog et a permanent heart, but what am amazing time we live in that he can live with this artificial heart in the meantime! WOW!
