CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsNew device saving lives at MUSC
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CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Patrick Spotola doesn't mince words when he talks about the HeartMate 2.
"This prolonged my life, it's gonna make things a lot easier until that heart does come," said Spotola.
Spotola is a big fan of the Heartmate 2, and who can blame him?
The small device that looks like a backpack will allow him to see his 40th birthday, even if he isn't planning a party.
"I wasn't supposed to be here, but I am here so that's good enough for me right there - that's my birthday present," said Spotola.
He has suffered five heart attacks since he turned 35. He's now awaiting a heart transplant, with the help of the HeartMate.
"What it does is it keeps people that probably wouldn't survive to heart transplantation alive in order to get one," said Dr. Matt Toole of MUSC.
The HeartMate 2 is a Left-Ventricular Assist Device which takes over pumping blood from a heart that is in the advanced stages of heart failure.
"It's just like a car water pump - it squeezes, pushes around, squeezes pushes around and it's run by battery packs so you're able to be mobile," said Spotola.
MUSC is the only hospital in the state that can put the pumps in.
A pump that allows Spotola to, in his words:
"Live life, to do the normal things," said Spotola.
Like walking to the store to get a cup of coffee or enjoy a warm Charleston day.
"It was 95 degrees a month ago and I would walk around in a turtleneck because I had no blood flow," said Spotola.
So for now Spotola can rest easy knowing the Heartmate 2 has his back.
And doctors at MUSC know they can continue performing these life-saving procedures.
"We are in a position to help more people and I think right now we use the pump to get people to a transplant," said Toole.
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