Woman with rare autoimmune disorder receives bloodless heart transplant

In 2018, Lisa Whitley was a healthy, 47-year-old wife and mother living outside of Nashville, leading an active life through her ministry and outdoor activities, when she suddenly began to feel very tired and weak.

Whitley was diagnosed with giant cell myocarditis, an autoimmune disorder that affects the heart muscle, and she was told she needed a heart transplant. As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, she desired treatment without the use of blood transfusions. Whitley’s home hospital was unable to offer her a bloodless heart transplant, so Whitley and her husband, Robert, sought treatment elsewhere. They reached out to their Jehovah’s Witness community for guidance.

"The University of Chicago was actually on a list that would accept ones like Lisa to do bloodless surgery," said Robert. "So we contacted our hospital liaison committee here, and it just so happens that they worked closely with Dr. Jeevanandam."

Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, is a world-renowned heart surgeon who has received national attention for his skill in performing bloodless cardiac surgeries. These operations require the use of precise surgical techniques to minimize blood loss during the procedure — sparing the need for a blood transfusion. UChicago Medicine is one of the few hospitals in the country that perform blood-free heart transplants and ventricular assist device surgeries.

"It was just so, really, comforting. He was willing to do what I needed and respect my faith," said Whitley.

Whitley's care team supported her through a long recovery. "We just became part of the hospital, so to speak," said Robert. "They knew us by name, and they talked to us. So I think that was the biggest thing; they treated us like family."

But it was also her real family that kept her going. "Each month that goes by, I just stay very active, walk a lot. And you just get stronger and stronger," said Whitley. "But what I'm looking forward to about being home is being with my family and getting to be with my son."