Danielle – SynCardia

Patients

Danielle's Story

Danielle, 22, was born with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissue. When her aorta became enlarged — a common complication of the disease — Danielle underwent surgery to receive an aortic graft and a pacemaker. While she felt fine after the surgery, her energy levels never returned to normal. An active member of the dance team in high school, Danielle felt fatigued and took several long naps each day.

Two years later, Danielle thought she was just having a hard time shaking off the flu, but her symptoms quickly worsened. When she arrived at her doctor’s office, she couldn’t even make it to the building from her car.

Danielle’s doctor sent her to the hospital immediately. Tests for pneumonia revealed that a massive infection of her heart had led to endocarditis — inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and valves.

“I was told the infection was like ping pong balls all over my heart, the pacemaker wires, and the valves,” said Danielle. The infection had also spread to her kidneys, spleen, and one of her lungs.

After a heavy regimen of antibiotics, surgeons hoped to repair the damage to her heart, but while she was lying sedated in the operating room awaiting surgery, Danielle’s heart stopped. Luckily, surgeons were able to quickly transfer her to a heart-lung bypass machine, preventing further damage to her vital organs.

Doctors gave Danielle’s parents three options: do nothing, repair what they could before her organs gave out, or implant the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart to keep her alive until a donor heart became available. Knowing that their daughter could have a long and happy life ahead of her, her parents chose the Total Artificial Heart.

“My mom knew I didn’t want to die at twenty-two,” said Danielle, “so they decided the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart was the only option.”

When Danielle woke up after the surgery, she was shocked to find herself without a heart, but quickly appreciated the difference the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart made.

“Physically, I could tell that my body was working better,” she said. “I was awake most of the day, which was a new thing for me.”

During her recovery, Danielle pushed herself to walk a little farther each day until she could traverse the entire hospital floor. Three weeks later, she learned that a donor heart had been found and she received her heart transplant. She was discharged from the hospital two weeks later.

Thanks to the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, Danielle was able to marry her longtime partner, Chris, who stood by her side throughout the transplant process, and proposed on the day of her discharge from the hospital. Soon after, they celebrated their marriage with more than 300 friends and family members.

“I would have missed all of that,” said Danielle. “Now look at what I get to look forward to because the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart was available to me. I’m so blessed with everything that’s coming. I try not to take one moment for granted.”