St. Bernards Implants Region’s First Artificial Heart Pump; ‘Christmas Miracle’ for Recipient

Physicians at St. Bernards Medical Center successfully implanted the region’s first artificial heart pump on December 28, helping a 73-year-old retired police officer and Air Force Veteran suffering from end-stage heart failure.

Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Jay K. Bhama and the Advanced Heart Surgery Team at St. Bernards performed the four-hour surgery, implanting the HeartMate 3™ Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) on their patient, Randall Glenn. Prior to the procedure, Glenn needed intravenous medications and cardiac monitors in the intensive care unit to support his failing heart and keep him alive. With no other medical options available to save his life, doctors and nurses at St. Bernards evaluated Glenn for placement of an artificial heart pump to restore his heart function and put him on the road to recovery and discharge.

Dr. Bhama said the implant marks an important milestone for St. Bernards’ Advanced Heart Surgery and Heart & Vascular Programs, with this procedure being the first of its kind performed in Arkansas outside of Little Rock.

“We strive to provide the most comprehensive and cutting edge therapies to our patients, right here, close to home,” Dr. Bhama said. “It was a pleasure to be able to deliver this care to Mr. Glenn and his family.”

Glenn, who called the pump a “Christmas miracle,” will spend the upcoming weeks recovering in the hospital prior to discharge. He will receive follow-up care at St. Bernards under the joint direction of Drs. Barry Tedder and Bhama. Patients with artificial heart pumps require meticulous care and frequent follow-up appointments after surgery to ensure steady progress. Any complication may delay or hinder recovery. Still, Glenn has responded well to the device.

“It’s an exciting time for our entire program and the hospital as a whole,” said Carli McAllister, registered nurse and lead LVAD coordinator for St. Bernards. “We’re looking forward to assisting Mr. Glenn with any needs as he adjusts to life with his new artificial heart pump.”

For St. Bernards Medical Center, the implant was a yearlong culmination that began with the recruitment of Dr. Bhama to St. Bernards. The hospital, which celebrated 40 years of cardiovascular care earlier in 2023, ultimately obtained federal approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for LVAD implantation in November.

St. Bernards Vice President of Heart Care Services Connie Hill, DNP, said northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri have experienced rising heart failure numbers throughout the region. She added that she has seen a growing need and desire to have complex medical care and technology close to home.

“It was an easy decision to pursue the development of an Advanced Heart Surgery Program here at St. Bernards,” Hill said. “We’re thrilled for Mr. Glenn to be able to receive this level of complex cardiovascular care at St. Bernards.”