Woman Awaiting a Heart Transplant Uses Electronic Heart Mate 2
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There is a new device that picks up where unhealthy hearts leave patients wondering if they will make it through the night. Doctors said this new medical technology in West Tennessee is now giving hope to Jackson Heart patients. To anyone else this might look like an ordinary purse, but to Florine Williamson, it’s her life. ” It’s my heart, my heart, my life.” said Williamson. Williamson is one of the only heart patients in Jackson awaiting a heart transplant with the help of a Heart Mate Two. Doctors said it is a new ventricular assist device that takes over pumping for a heart that is in the advance stages of heart failure, for hearts that are too weak to pump their own blood. ” It will take the pressure off the heart and work as if its an extra heart with the heart,” said Dr. Elie Korban, Heart and Vascular Center of West Tennessee. Doctors said the Heart mate is implanted in the abdomen with tubes that work to pump parallel with the heart. ” It’s connected right here through my stomach. I have to get this changed everyday,” said Williamson. Those tubes are connected to an outside system ran by battery packs which makes the device portable. ” It lasts 14 hours so you have enough time to do whatever you have to do on a daily basis, go see your friends,exercise if you want,” said Korban. Extra time Florine said she will spend with family. ” I’m grateful to be here today everyday is Mother’s Day for me not just today but everyday, ” said Williamson.
