Robert Williams

Robert Dwayne Williams, 61, has been an agricultural pilot in Beaumont, Texas, for over 30 years. One day while working he felt like he had a pinched nerve between his shoulders, but thought it was from flying. He continued working for the day but after arriving home, he still didn’t feel well. His wife Sallianne called EMS and he was taken to a local hospital in Beaumont where it was confirmed that Robert had suffered a heart attack and post-myocardial infarction ventricular septal rupture. 

According to the American College of Cardiology, ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is considered a serious and life-threatening complication that can occur after an acute myocardial infarction (MI). Surgical repair is the primary treatment option, but its complexity and high risk of complications often lead to poor outcomes. Due to the rarity of the condition, there is limited medical and surgical expertise in the management of VSR.

The complexity of his condition meant Robert needed a higher level of care. He was transferred to HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center to be treated by Dr. Pranav Loyalka, Director of structural heart disease, heart failure, heart transplant, and mechanical circulatory support and renowned cardiologist at HCA Houston Medical Center and HCA Gulf Coast Division.

Dr. Loyalka evaluated Robert at Houston Heart, an HCA Healthcare facility, and determined he was in cardiac distress. He sent him to HCA Houston Medical Center’s emergency room where he was taken to the catheterization lab for a percutaneous closure of his 7-centimeter hole. Unfortunately, due to the extent of the damage and size of the rupture, they couldn’t close the hole.

Robert was admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) and put on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which pumps blood outside of the body to a heart-lung machine. ECMO allows the heart and lungs to rest and heal while the machine temporarily takes over their functions. It is primarily used in critical situations where the heart and lungs are failing due to severe illness or trauma.

With all other interventions failing, Robert needed surgery to treat his rare and life-threatening condition. His care was transferred to Dr. Eyal Porat, Director of cardiothoracic surgery at HCA Houston Medical Center and HCA Gulf Coast Division, who specializes in complex and high-risk cardiac surgical procedures.

“The entire wall between the left and right ventricles disintegrated and was completely torn due to the massive heart attack,” Dr. Porat says. “We opened the heart and reconstructed the wall between the ventricles as well as the free wall of the heart using patches.”

After his surgery on July 23, 2024, Robert returned to the CVICU where the critical care team weaned him off the ECMO machine and ventilator. His physical therapy team helped him start walking again and to keep him motivated they played his favorite song ‘Danger Zone’ from the movie Top Gun.

“With my dad being a pilot, of course, Top Gun was a staple in our house growing up,” said his daughter Jessica. The song helped him find the strength to walk an extra lap every day. 

At times, Sallianne and Jessica weren’t sure if Robert would pull through, but his fighting spirit and supportive family carried him throughout his recovery. Robert and his family are extremely grateful for the exceptional care provided by his dedicated care team at HCA Houston Medical Center.

“They never treated me like a patient, the physicians and staff went above and beyond to care for me and my family,” said Robert.

Dr. Loyalka highlighted that HCA Houston Medical Center is one of the few facilities with the expertise to handle such complex cases and to offer percutaneous and surgical therapies. “Despite the difficulties Mr. Williams faced, he and his family displayed incredible determination and a positive attitude throughout the entire process,” said Dr. Loyalka.

He is home resting and recovering following his surgery and is gradually getting stronger each day.

HCA Houston Medical Center is home to some of Houston’s leading cardiovascular surgeons who are part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary team that delivers the highest level of compassionate care and advanced treatment options for complex and high-risk conditions.