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

Calvin Scott, 43, is a teacher, cheer and dance coach and mental health counselor from Shreveport, Louisiana. 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, Louisiana, where he collapsed. After receiving multiple rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), he was emergently brought to the catheterization lab in cardiogenic shock with a reduced ejection fraction of 25 percent. Dr. George Mina inserted an Impella CP® heart pump 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 three days of support, Calvin’s heart function began to improve and the ECMO was removed. Two days later, the Impella pump was weaned and removed. 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.

Patient experience with Impella depends on many factors. Consult with your cardiologist to get answers to your questions about your condition and any treatment options.