Tom’s Story: A Second Chance at Life Through Advanced Heart Care
When Tom Kurutz experienced a severe heart attack in November 2024, he believed the hardest part was behind him.
After receiving a stent, he expected life to return to normal. Instead, his heart function remained severely reduced, and he developed congestive heart failure.
“So basically, you’re building up fluid and pressure in your heart,” Tom explained. “Think of a sink with a clogged drain. The water keeps building up and eventually overflows.”
At first, he thought he was recovering.
“I got stented, I’m fine,” he said. “But things started to change.”
When Heart Failure Progresses
Tom began his care at Uniontown Hospital in Pennsylvania, a WVU Medicine regional location, where his condition was evaluated and managed. As his symptoms progressed and his heart function did not improve, his care team escalated treatment and coordinated transfer to the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute in Morgantown, West Virginia.
There, advanced heart failure specialists initiated goal-directed medical therapy. When medications were no longer enough, temporary mechanical support was used to help stabilize his condition.
At that point, Tom’s team began discussing longer-term options.
Understanding LVAD Therapy
An LVAD, or Left Ventricular Assist Device, is a mechanical pump that helps the heart circulate blood throughout the body. It is used in patients with advanced heart failure when the heart can no longer pump effectively on its own.
For some patients, an LVAD serves as a bridge to a heart transplant. For others, it can be a long-term therapy that improves both survival and quality of life.
Tom’s physicians described it in practical terms he could understand.
“They told me it would be an implantable version of what I was already on,” he said, referring to the temporary support device. “Something to make me stronger so I could fight another day.”
Facing the Decision
Learning that he needed an LVAD was overwhelming.
“I didn’t want that,” Tom said. “It was very scary. I was just purely frightened.”
Without it, his options were limited.
“I was told I could go home with hospice,” he said. “Maybe a month, 45 days, three months. That was hard to hear.”
To help him make an informed decision, his care team introduced him to another patient living with an LVAD. Seeing the device, asking questions, and hearing a real experience helped shift his perspective.
“That made it real,” he said. “It helped me understand what life could look like.”
What Recovery Looks Like After LVAD Surgery
Tom underwent LVAD surgery in Morgantown and quickly began the recovery process.
Patients who receive an LVAD can expect a structured recovery that begins in the hospital and continues with close follow-up care. Early mobility is a key part of recovery, along with education on managing the device, medications, and daily routines.
For Tom, progress came quickly.
“The very first day after surgery, they had me up and taking steps,” he said. “At that point, I was committed. I wanted to get better.”
Within days, he noticed a significant change.
“By the third or fourth day, I started to feel like a person again,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much of a person I wasn’t feeling.”
Continuing Care Across the Region
After discharge, Tom returned to Uniontown to complete cardiac rehabilitation, continuing his recovery within the WVU Medicine system.
His care included:
- Initial evaluation and treatment at Uniontown Hospital
- Advanced heart failure management and LVAD surgery in Morgantown
- Ongoing cardiac rehabilitation and follow-up care in Uniontown
This approach allows patients to move between community-based care and highly specialized services as their condition requires, with coordination between teams at each stage.
Living with an LVAD
Today, Tom is attending a cardiac rehab program based at Uniontown Hospital. He is rebuilding his life, one step at a time.
“He’s not only living, but he’s also thriving,” his physician, Marco Caccamo, MD, shared.
Tom has returned to activities he enjoys and continues working toward his long-term goal of a heart transplant.
“I love to hunt and fish,” Tom said. “I did some hunting this year. Next year I’ll be even better.”
Advanced Heart Care Across the Region
WVU Medicine’s Heart and Vascular Institute offers a full spectrum of cardiovascular services, including advanced heart failure care, LVAD therapy, and heart transplant evaluation.
With WVU Heart and Vascular care locations throughout the region, patients can access routine, specialty, and follow-up care across multiple communities, while still having access to advanced therapies.
Watch Tom’s Full Story
Tom’s experience reflects both the complexity of advanced heart failure and what is possible with the right care.
Click here to watch Tom's story in his own words.
Take the Next Step
If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of heart disease or heart failure, early evaluation can make a difference.
Call 304-WVU-CARE to schedule a consultation
Find a provider near you: HVI Locations