Angel Zapata's LVAD & heart transplant fundraiser

Angel was hospitalized on October 13, 2021 after an ER visit where they determined he had a heart function of less than 20% and diagnosed with heart failure. He was released with a Life Vest after three days and began regular visits with a cardiologist.

After 3 months on medications meant to improve his heart function, more tests were done that showed he had only made a small improvement to 25-30% heart function.

His cardiologist said that he will need an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) and referred him to a heart failure specialist in Nashville.

We met with the heart failure specialist a few weeks later. He wanted a right heart cath to check the pressure and blood flow of Angel's heart and a cardiac MRI before letting him get the ICD.

Angel's right heart cath was scheduled quickly and we returned to Nashville on February 21, 2021. The results of his right heart cath came back immediately and the news was devastating. His pressures were all dangerously high and his output was too low. His heart failure is Stage 4, the worst it can be. He was admitted immediately to the hospital, Saint Thomas West.

His prognosis is grim without having an LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) implanted through open heart surgery. This device is a mechanical heart pump that will help his heart pump blood more efficiently and keep him stable and healthy until he can meet the additional requirements to be placed on a heart transplant list.

There have been, and will be many costs associated with Angel's condition and treatments. We are hoping to raise some money to help him with copayments, extra medical equipment that may not be covered, gas back and forth to Nashville (3 hours, one way), food and hotel stays while he under goes all of his treatment.

We are fortunate to have medical coverage for the majority of his treatment but there are so many other costs that add up that will be a burden for Angel and his fiance during this time.