Patient Story: Darrell Kempfert

Last summer, while working on his deck, Darrell began experiencing symptoms indicative of heart valve disease. He struggled to catch his breath. Yet, this wasn't merely a consequence of aging. Following a referral to the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, it was revealed that Darrell suffered from a heart murmur stemming from a leaky mitral valve. With a history of open-heart surgery, his multidisciplinary team at United Hospital in St. Paul, including Dr. Nishtha Sodhi, determined that a minimally invasive transcatheter procedure offered the most promising option. Upon receiving a technology to repair his leaky valve, Darrell experienced immediate relief and eagerly anticipated resuming his beloved activities: golfing, grilling, and playing pickleball!