Kenneth Pack

LVAD pump gives patients new hope and energy to lead a normal live.

In the past, heart failure patients had no choice but to suffer through a difficult and often futile wait for a heart transplant.  Today, a small mechanical pump called a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) is giving patients new hope and the energy to lead a more normal life.

Medical City is proud to offer new LVAD technology that is unavailable at any other area facility.  Our specialists have implanted 14 devices in the past year alone.  We also offer an unparalleled level of support.  Each patient has a transplant coordinator on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions and help in crisis situations.

Medical City is the only area hospital to visit each patient’s community to train their local EMS crews, cardiologist and other healthcare professionals in case an emergency arises.  We also train family members and coworkers, so there’s always someone nearby to help.

An LVAD and this special training helped save the life of Kenneth Pack.  When he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, he needed his wife’s help just to get around.  “I couldn’t even walk across the room without running out of air,” he explained.  Mr. Pack was told if he had not received treatment, he would have had about 30 days left to live.  After having his LVAD implanted at Medical City, he described his improved condition by saying, “I want to get out and do some work on the farm.”

A few weeks later, Mr. Pack accidentally disconnected his battery pack and stopped breathing.  His family called 911 and began CPR.  The EMS team in Stephenville, Texas used their new emergency training and coordinated with CareFlight® to transport him to Medical City, where he recovered.

Thanks to the LVAD, Mr. Pack was healthy two months later when he was told that a donor heart had become available.  He returned to Medical City for a successful transplant.  He and his family were thankful that Medical City and the LVAD helped him start a new stage of life.