Andrea Feder's Journey to Heart Recovery: Surviving Right Ventricular Failure

My name is Andrea Feder and I am a 57-year-old retired teacher from St. Augustine, FL. I was visiting my daughter, son-in-law, and two-day-old grandson, when I began experiencing dizziness and other concerning symptoms. My symptoms returned the next day, followed by convulsions.

I was rushed by ambulance to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Cardiac surgeon Nishant Patel, MD, diagnosed right ventricle heart failure and inserted the Impella RP® heart pump percutaneously to allow my heart to rest. After three days of support while in a medically-induced coma, the Impella RP was weaned and explanted. I was discharged a week later with normal ejection fraction for my right ventricle. Today, I am extremely grateful for quality time with my family, and I’m especially grateful to hold my two grandsons.