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Patient Story: Darrell Kempfert

February 21, 2024

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!

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The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® (MHIF) strives to create a world without heart and vascular disease. To achieve this bold vision, we are dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of individuals and communities through innovative research and education.

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we can continue this life-saving work. Please make a gift to support the area of greatest need.

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Please make a heartfelt gift of any size to support the research and education happening at MHIF! Thanks to a generous donor, all gifts through December 31st will be matched up to $40,000 – doubling your impact! When you give this year, you will offer solutions and hope to the people most important to us all – parents, grandparents, family members and friends.

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