Putting their hearts in it: A look at Novant Health’s new LVAD program and its impact on patients

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — More than a year ago, Novant Health’s Heart and Vascular Institute announced it was offering a new procedure that would help patients with advanced heart failure.

Back in September, Michael Kelly of Duplin County became the first patient to receive an LVAD surgery at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

“I feel like a new man, a new person,” Kelly said.

Kelly used to walk 7 miles to work, but his advanced heart failure made even taking a shower difficult.

The LVAD, or Left Ventricular Assist Device, is a mechanical pump placed near the heart that helps move blood throughout the rest of the body.

“I still have the psychological issues, you know, dealing with and putting a lot of burden on my family and they don’t mind, you know,” Kelly said. “We’re here to help each other. But I can walk better, no shortness of breath, I couldn’t even walk to the mailbox before I had this.”

Cardiologist John Rommel specializes in advanced heart failure at Novant.

He said the first LVAD surgery was a long time coming.

“This was an amazing milestone for us,” Rommel said. “So I joined the cardiology group down here in 2016 and when I came down, this was our goal. Our goal from 2016 and beyond has been to get to this stage last year, to build a heart failure program, to build a VAD program. And help someone locally feel better, live longer and not have to drive up to Duke and Carolina was just fantastic.”

Thanks to the surgery, Kelly is looking toward the future and has some important advice for anyone else interested in getting the procedure.

“I would tell them it’s going to be hard and make sure you want to do it. But their quality of life would increase tremendously.”

Novant has performed the surgery on one other patient since September. Rommel said he’s glad to know other people in the region will be able to get the help they need through this surgery moving forward.