Uploaded January 2014 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

---

Tracy was suffering from end-stage heart failure. While at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, she received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) while she waited for a heart transplant. For more information about heart failure, visit barnesjewish.org/heart-vascular/heart-failure.

Here's what Tracy has to say about her heart failure treatment at the Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Heart & Vascular Center:

It's almost too amazing to believe. I was sick, weak and my doctors at Washington University said her only option was a new heart.

Her surgeon put in a tiny pump that kept her heart beating until a new heart was found.

The team at Barnes-Jewish used their skill to replace my failing heart with one that brought me back to my family.

I had every reason to worry but their knowledge and compassion made all the difference.

And now, I'm back to life than I can fully enjoy.

I never lost heart before I received a new one.

For more information about Tracy, visit barnesjewish.org/patient-stories/tracy.