Patient Stories

Peter recently had successful cardiac surgery. He shares how he first discovered having cardiac issues, his search for the best cardiac surgeon in his region, and his experience at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute.

Real patients. Real success stories.

Patient care is at the center of everything we do at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute. It is a great honor to hear that we are making a difference in the lives of our patients. Their success stories are inspiration to others and the care teams that helped them regain their health.

Shawn’s Story

Paul’s Story

Peter’s Story

Jamie’s Story

ECMO saves a young man’s life

Nathan Ferguson, 23, of Bluefield, had never been seriously ill before and did not suspect anything serious when he developed a sore throat and cough, which left him on a couch at the oil rig in St. Clairsville, Ohio, where he worked. Shortly after Ferguson texted his mom, Elaine, that he could not stop coughing, his coworkers returned from a safety meeting to find him unresponsive.

Helping Bo get her life back.

Bo Stroia has always been active. She used to play softball and enjoys watching her grandchildren play sports. However, her active lifestyle was put on hold when she started to have trouble breathing even during short walks.

Getting Paul, an avid runner, get back on the road

Paul Pennington of Bluefield loves to run half and full marathons. For him, running is a way to deal with the daily stresses he encounters. Pennington was born with aortic stenosis and it was beginning to make running more difficult. He would experience shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue.

Latest News

WVU Heart and Vascular Institute surgeons perform the first fully robotic aortic valve replacement in the northeastern U.S.

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