First LVAD Surgery in Hawaii Allows Ewa Beach Resident to Recover at Home

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Brandon Atumata, aged 34 from ʻEwa Beach, was discharged on Monday from The Queen’s Medical Center following a significant medical milestone. A specialized team of doctors performed Hawaii’s inaugural left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, a pump that supports the heart’s left ventricle in blood circulation.

Atumata’s troubles began when he experienced increasing difficulty with his job, eventually leading to a trip to the emergency room after feeling out of breath. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure, he had the LVAD implanted about two and a half weeks ago, allowing him to recuperate in Hawaii rather than endure a six-month to year-long recovery on the mainland. Atumata expressed his satisfaction with the procedure, stating that he can now walk longer distances. Jason Chang, president and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems, hailed the achievement of bringing this advanced technology to Hawaii. Dr. Jesus Pino Moreno, director of Queen’s Center for Advanced Heart Failure and LVAD, emphasized the importance of local access to such programs for patient recovery.