Physicians utilize the smallest heart pumps in the world to save a local man's life

HCA Florida Brandon Hospital has successfully used one of the smallest, most powerful heart pumps to deliver the highest level of blood flow support for a patient with a weakened heart. This complex procedure was performed through the combined expertise of the cardiac catheterization lab and structural heart program at Brandon Hospital.

When Ken Lehman walked into the Brandon Hospital emergency room, he expected lingering pneumonia complications. Instead, the emergency care team uncovered a rapidly escalating medical crisis. Lehman was battling fluid-filled lungs, acute kidney failure and severe coronary artery disease. Physicians declared him critically ill with survival odds looking grim.

He was diagnosed with two artery blockages; his left anterior descending artery (LAD) was 90% blocked and the left main artery was 80% blocked. With his heart function severely compromised, immediate intervention was necessary, but his weakened heart could not withstand multiple catheterization procedures.

Dr. Umesh Gowda, interventional cardiologist and medical director of the cardiac cath lab and structural heart program, and Dr. Bradley Bufkin, cardiac surgeon, worked in tandem to surgically insert the heart pump in the left ventricle. Dr. Bufkin assisted by performing the incision while Dr. Gowda inserted the device. The heart pump optimizes blood flow to decrease the stress on the heart until the next intervention can be performed.

"In acute cases, these heart pumps give the heart critical support to heal. Once stabilized, the catheterization team can safely remove the blockages, allowing the heart to regain the ability to pump blood effectively. These heart pumps are small but mighty in saving lives in high-risk cases," said Dr. Bufkin.

Once Lehman's heart regained enough strength, Dr. Gowda and the cardiac cath lab team successfully cleared the dangerous blockages. Today, Lehman is making a remarkable recovery in Brandon Hospital's inpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation center. Grateful for the expert care and unwavering dedication of his medical team, Lehman says he owes his second chance at life to the people who refused to give up on him.

For more information about cardiac care, patients can visit our cardiology page. To find a cardiologist, patients can call Consult-A-Nurse at (844) 70-NURSE .