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.