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Vanessa Cirillo

  • Age: 27 (at implant)
  • Diagnosis: Dilated idiopathic cardiomyopathy
  • Implant date: Aug. 10, 2007
  • Transplant date: Nov. 24, 2007
  • Time on the Total: 106 days
  • Residence: Tucson, Arizona
  • Hospital: University Medical Center
  • Surgeon: Dr. Jack Copeland
At age 20, Vanessa Cirillo suffered a heart attack caused by a virus. She recovered and lived a healthy life until June 2007, when her heart condition became critical. On Aug. 10, 2007, Dr. Jack Copeland saved her life by removing Vanessa’s dying heart and implanting the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart.

Once her condition stabilized, Vanessa began to hit the gym with UMC staff. Her increasingly rigorous workouts even included boxing. On Nov. 24, 2007, after 106 days on the Total Artificial Heart, Vanessa received her matching donor heart. This piece was produced by KUAT Arizona Illustrated.

›› Click here to read Vanessa’s full story

Video Length - 5:13

*The SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart was formerly known as the
SynCardia temporary CardioWest™ Total Artificial Heart.

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