Jul 9, 2009 5:37 pm US/Eastern
Revolutionary Heart Pump Saves Miami Woman's Life
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
It wasn't that long ago that Orfelina Torres had a hard time taking a short walk and was prone to fainting spells. But now, thanks to a new device she carries around with her wherever she goes, the 58-year-old Torres has a new lease on life.
The miracle device is called the Heart Mate II.
"Before it was so hard for me to move from my room to the kitchen, sometimes I couldn't even make it, it was so hard," said Torres.
Three years she suffered a massive heart attack and underwent quadruple bypass surgery. Despite the bypass, Torres was told she needed a heart transplant. She soon developed pulmonary hypertension, which meant she was no longer a candidate for a transplant.
Doctors at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center were certain a newly approved heart assist device, the Heart Mate II, could be the solution. The device, which is about the size of the head of a garden hose, helps a damaged heart pump blood. The Heart Mate II's size and portability made it a better alternative to larger heart pumps that keep patient alive in the hospital while they wait for a donor heart.
Torres received her heart pump on June 9th.
"We have now used the Heart Mate II in 3 patients, all are doing well. Torres is our first patient to be discharged from the hospital and go home," said Dr. Ray Hershberger with UM-Jackson Memorial Medical Center
Torres was released from the hospital on Thursday, her outlook on life much brighter than it was a month ago.
"Now I have energy, I'm alive again, hah."
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