"Mother's Day Miracle: A Mom Finally Does Physical Activity with Her Son, Four" - Khristopher J. Brookes
After giving birth, Melinda Constantine was diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, a condition in which heart muscles weaken during the final months of pregnancy. The condition meant she needed a left ventricular assist device implanted that would operate as her heart at all times. Sean Pinney, MD, professor of medicine and cardiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai said there is debate among his staff whether to keep Constantine on the device or take it out. "I was concerned that, even though the heart was looking good, will it continue to look good if we took it out," said Dr. Pinney. Eventually the doctors compromised, and the device was removed. Constantine was cleared for physical activity, and decided to participate in a Taekwondo class with her son. Dr. Pinney stopped by the class to see how Constantine was feeling. "It's a special gift for Mother's Day to be active with family and feeling good."
— Sean P. Pinney, MD, Professor, Medicine, Cardiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Program, Mount Sinai Health System