Approximately five million Americans have congestive heart failure, and of those, nearly half will be dead in just five years. But a tiny tool is pumping hope back into the fight against heart disease.
Looking at him now, you'd never know less than two months ago Larry Bonaventure was technically dead on arrival at Lane Regional Medical Center,
Larry had a heart attack, and they didn't know if he would make it through the night.
If not for the Impella 2.5 - also known as a left ventricular assist device or l-vad - Larry's heart doctor Deepak Thekkoot says he probably would have died.
The device is about the size of a pencil eraser, and is inserted through a tiny incision in the groin. Once it's activated, the Impella can pump up to two and half liters of blood every minute.
The Impella gives doctors time to eliminate blockages and insert stents that prop open arteries that restore blood flow to the heart - often, in patients who would not survive procedures that require major surgery.
Heart pump technology is not new, but the size of the Impella device makes it possible to use on more patients - which means more saved lives. Copyright 2011 America Now. All rights reserved.
Drivers usually think they have the right of way and bicyclists think they're the ones that have the right of way. Police are trying to set the record straight. Both bicycles and drivers have to follow
Drivers usually think they have the right of way and bicyclists think they're the ones that have the right of way. Police are trying to set the record straight.
Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. One woman found that out the hard way when her dog ate a bunch of grapes! Turns out, that's one of the most dangerous foods
Every pet owner knows a dog can get into just about anything around the house. But these common snacks could be fatal for Fido.
A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities.
A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities. The non-profit organizations end up with just pennies on the dollar raised through solicitation campaigns, and it's all legal.
Wednesday, February 20 2013 4:29 AM EST2013-02-20 09:29:19 GMT
For eight years, Kahala Avenue neighbors have been at odds with billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto and in part two of our special report a solution between the war of the wealthy is difficult to find. Real
For eight years, Kahala Avenue neighbors have been at odds with billionaire Genshiro Kawamoto and in part two of our special report a solution between the war of the wealthy is difficult to find.
Imagine coming home from work, greeting the dog, and walking upstairs to find your son or daughter dead by their own hands. The suicide of a child is a very sensitive and sometimes divisive subject for
One 14-year old girl's family shares the story of her suicide, the pain it has caused and the efforts they hope will raise awareness about teen suicide in light of their personal tragedy.
Mice are one of the most resilient mammals living on the planet. Some people have them as pets, and they're also used in laboratory experiments. If wild mice get inside your house, they can potentially
If wild mice find a way inside your home, they can potentially cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your drywall and insulation. They can also transmit a harmful disease which can cause death in humans.
What would you do if the warning sirens went off? Would you know where to go? We've got tips from the National Weather Service to help you stay safe no matter where you are.
What would you do if the warning sirens went off? Would you know where to go? We've got tips from the National Weather Service to help you stay safe no matter where you are.
You can call it 'riding out the storm', literally. "It's the whole bus underground," James Hunter explained. He and his wife buried an old school bus to make a creative storm shelter. "I'm ready for the
When it comes to staying safe during a tornado or severe thunderstorm, experts often recommend an underground shelter. But building one can cost a pretty penny. Find out how one couple found a way to save money on their shelter.
The FBI is warning that sexual perverts are stealing pictures of young kids from social media websites and are reusing them in alarming ways. Here's what you need to know to help protect children from cyber predators.
It's a social norm now for people to be on Facebook, and many parents like to share photos and updates about their kids. But that info can easily be used by predators and other cyber-creeps! America Now shows how to protect your children online.
Mitochondrial Disease is a terrible disease you've probably never heard of, but one that can dramatically shorten a child's life. Healthy babies who suddenly stop growing, loose muscle tone and start
Mitochondrial Disease is a debilitating medical condition most people have never heard of, but one that can dramatically shorten a child's life.
