Detroit Wife and Mother Fast-Tracked to Heart Recovery

Tammie Davis Keebaugh is a wife, mother, and owner of a patient management company from Detroit, MI. Tammie, who was diagnosed with diabetes in 2008, lives a very active and busy lifestyle and is dedicated to helping the elderly. After experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue in November 2022, 56-year-old Tammie visited her cardiologist and learned she had a major blockage in her coronary artery, and open heart surgery was recommended. Her cardiologist referred her to Dr. Amir Kaki, interventional cardiologist and director of mechanical circulatory support at St. John Hospital in Detroit, to discuss a minimally invasive option. Dr. Kaki evaluated her heart and recommended Protected PCI with Impella®. Two days later, Dr. Kaki inserted the Impella heart pump to support Tammie's weak heart before placing stents and restoring blood flow to her heart. Tammie returned home the following day, just one week after the appointment with her cardiologist.

Today, she is back to her busy routine with an improved perspective on self-care. Tammie is grateful for the exceptional medical treatment she received and the loving support of her husband and daughter.