Two Utah Moms Who Nearly Died After Delivering Their Babies Saved By Heart Pump At Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute

This technology, which the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute Artificial Heart Program has been helping to refine and develop for over 25 years, is helping a growing number of patients who require mechanical heart support while awaiting a donor heart for transplantation. Without this option, these patients would die. 

Andrea Duncan from Provo nearly did die, seven days after giving birth to her daughter, Madison, her second child, on May 20, 2014. But thanks to the great care that she received at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where she delivered Madison, she was stabilized and transferred to the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, where she was implanted with a HeartWare HVAD. 

The HeartWare HVAD is a left ventricular assist device that helps the left side of the heart pump blood, oxygen and other nutrients out to the rest of the body. This pump sits inside the chest, and is directly connected to the patient's heart. The pump is powered by a small external controller that connects to outside of the body by a driveline cable. This portable system weighs just over three lbs and allows the patient to enjoy their lives while they await a heart transplant. 

Andrea doesn’t mind having to have the device with her at all times. “It’s not an inconvenience for me considering the alternative,” she says. “ I would not be here without it and I’m grateful for it and the doctors that have helped me get to where I am today.” 

The Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute Artificial Heart Program is currently participating in a national study to evaluate the Heartmart HVAD as a permanent solution for "destination" patients who do not qualify for transplantation. 

Andrea says life on the HeartWare HVAD has gone well. Her heart has improved, is stronger and she is now ready for a heart transplant. 

"I’m feeling great," she says. "I was in the clinic on Wednesday, and if I didn’t have to carry around this pump in my heart, I wouldn’t have known that this could've even happened to me. I'm very grateful for this technology and the amazing team at Intermountain Medical Center who saved my life." 

Like Andrea, Brandy Marigoni, also required LVAD support due to varying complications brought on by pregnancy. Brandy's heart condition was identified during her pregnancy. She actually delivered her son, Aiden, on July 8, 2014, in a Cath Lab at Intermountain Medical Center at 28 weeks pregnant, with the help of a combined maternal fetal medicine team led by Flint Porter, MD, and cardiovascular surgeons and specialists. 

Brandy initially had an Impella heart device implanted to get her through the delivery as her heart was too weak to survive the demands of delivery. She then had a HeartWare LVAD placed in her chest. 

"They put me in an induced comma so my heart could rest and not work so hard," she says. "After two days I went into surgery and they gave me the new heart pump on July 10. I then had to go to rehab and learn how to walk again. I'm grateful to be alive and to be with my family. It's been a challenge trying to recover because my body was so weak and I was so sick, but it gets better each day." 

Brandy feels incredibly blessed to have this device that has saved her life. “I’m so grateful he’s here, I’m so grateful I’m here to be able to care of my family… this has given me the opportunity to be there a little bit longer.”