Advanced Heart Pump Technology Helps Parkwest Patient Survive and Recover
- 4 minute read.
- Last Updated: 2/20/2026
When sudden, intense chest pain turned out to be life-threatening for Logan Trisdale, advanced Impella technology at Covenant Health Parkwest kept his heart pumping while cardiac experts worked to save his life. Today, he and his wife Brittany are grateful for Parkwest’s expertise and compassionate care.
Sudden Chest Pain and a Serious Heart Problem
On a January night in 2023, Logan stepped outside into Crossville’s winter air, hoping the cool air would help ease his intense, unrelenting chest pain. The pain was sharp and deep, and he was sweating through his clothes.
“It felt like somebody stuck something in my chest,” he says.
He was just 33, and heart problems seemed unlikely. But Brittany called 911, and after performing an EKG, paramedics rushed Logan to Cumberland Medical Center.
Heart Care with Advanced Technology in Knoxville
By the time he was stable enough for transport to Parkwest in Knoxville, he had received nearly an hour of CPR and his heart had been shocked into rhythm multiple times. Interventional cardiologist Sara Negrotto, MD, suspected myocarditis, an infection in the heart muscle. Medication was given, but Logan’s heart was only working at about 20 percent capacity and the clock was ticking.
Logan’s physicians decided to implant an Impella heart pump. The unique device is a small, minimally invasive, catheter-based pump that’s placed in the heart’s left ventricle. It helps deliver blood from the heart to the brain and the rest of the organs in the body. Parkwest is one of the top hospitals in the country to use the advanced technology.
The device was able to do what Logan’s heart couldn’t. Blood passed through the pump so the machine could keep circulation going during multiple blood transfusions.
Logan remained in a medically induced coma for four days. He finally opened his eyes the day after Brittany’s birthday, unsure of what had happened to him. Parkwest’s expertise and advanced technology were weapons in the takedown of his myocarditis, providing him with life-saving care.
Minimally Invasive Heart Pump Helps Facilitate Movement
Logan was a hospital inpatient for 28 days and lost muscle strength during that time. Parkwest’s occupational and physical therapists helped him regain strength and relearn basic tasks like feeding himself and brushing his teeth.
“The Impella heart pump improves a patient’s comfort and recovery, as it allows patients to sit up and sometimes walk. This is very helpful in getting patients off a ventilator and into some physical therapy to regain strength,” explains Dr. Negrotto.
“Usually after placement of the heart pump, patients can recover faster. They can participate in both physical and occupational therapy with the pump in place,” she says. “Impella technology allows us to treat complex cardiac patients in a safe and effective manner, and positions Parkwest as a leader in cardiac care.”
Recovery After Myocarditis
Logan now takes daily medications and has a defibrillator implant as a safeguard. “It’s a small price to pay,” Logan says. “I’m still on the right side of the dirt, so there’s not much to be upset about anymore.” Logan and Brittany want others to understand the importance of good health and great healthcare, even when problems don’t seem serious. “Until my heart incident I hadn’t seen a doctor since I was probably 12 years old,” Logan confesses.
“Just because you look healthy, you should still get your checkups and take care of yourself,” Brittany says. “We just about lost him.”
Grateful for Advanced Heart Support
Logan and Brittany had been married just 11 months when his heart event occurred. Their experiences early in their marriage have made life even more precious. They’re grateful for each other and for the care and compassion at Covenant Health Parkwest.
“I hope everybody understands how great Parkwest is,” Brittany says. “There’s a big community there – they really care about people.”
Covenant Health offers award-winning heart care at locations throughout East Tennessee. Learn more about cardiac services at Parkwest and Covenant Health, and for help in finding a heart specialist, visit our Find a Physician page. If you or someone you know is experiencing heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately.
