From COVID-19 to Heart Recovery, Kerri Bryles Is Back To Being Herself

Kerri Bryles, in 2021, was a 45-year-old wife, mother and pharmacist who always led a healthy lifestyle. Kerri’s husband, Tim, tested positive for COVID-19 and, within a couple weeks, Kerri began feeling ill. She checked her oxygen levels, which were low and decided to go to her local hospital emergency room. 

After four negative COVID-19 test results, Kerri tested positive. However, the local hospital did not have any ICU beds available. Kerri was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield, MO, where physicians discovered she had torrential mitral regurgitation and was in cardiogenic shock. 

Jeremy Leidenfrost, MD, implanted Impella 5.0® to allow Kerri’s weak heart to rest. After five days of support, Impella® heart pump was removed. Physicians performed open mitral valve replacement surgery and Kerri returned home to her family one week later. She is grateful for the care she received and overjoyed to be back to her active routine with her husband and three children.