Beloved Youth Mentor Returns to His Students After Surviving an Unexpected Heart Attack

Calvin Scott, is a teacher, cheer and dance coach and mental health counselor from Shreveport, LA. At the age of 43, after testing positive for COVID-19 in December 2021, he began experiencing a burning pain in his back. When the pain became unbearable, he went to the emergency room at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport, LA, where he collapsed. After receiving multiple rounds of CPR, he was emergently brought to the catheterization lab in cardiogenic shock with a reduced ejection fraction of 25 percent. Dr. George Mina inserted Impella CP^TM with SmartAssist^TM to allow his heart to rest before placing a stent. When Calvin’s oxygenation levels decreased, Dr. Jonathan Eaton placed him on VV-ECMO to provide oxygenation to his lungs. After a few days of support, Calvin’s heart function began to improve and he was weaned off ECMO and Impella support. A week after collapsing in the hospital, Calvin returned home. 

Today, Calvin’s ejection fraction has returned to normal (~55 percent) and he has returned to work full time. Calvin continues to play an important role formally and informally counseling and mentoring children in his community and loves getting together with his very large extended family to play cards and enjoy great food. 

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. There are potential risks, these risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.