Stan Larkin’s story of survival is one to be remembered.

The 25-year-old Michigan man lived 16 months with an artificial heart, before undergoing a successful heart transplant. Thanks to a donor and team of specialists at the University of Michigan Hospital, Larkin managed to live a pretty normal life with a little bit of extra weight. A Total Artifical heart a is what made it all possible. The portable driver pumped blood throughout his body. Instead of staying in the hospital, he wore the device 24/7 using a 13.5-pound bookbag to stay alive.

Larkin was the first patient in the state discharged with the device in 2014, eventually returning on May 9th of this year for a transplant.

At a recent press conference, he marveled at his newfound energy and how he’d love to meet his donor’s family.

This story comes with a dual celebration.

Larkin’s brother, Dominique, also received a transplant.

Photo: mlive.com
Photo: mlive.com

Both brothers suffer from familial cardiomyopathy which is linked to Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), known to cause sudden death in athletes. The brothers were diagnosed with the genetic disorder as teenagers.

Dominique relied on the device before his 2015 transplant.

“You’re heroes to all of us,” says David J. Pinsky, M.D., a director of the U-M Frankel Cardiovascular Center. “The fact that you take your story public and allow us to teach others makes a difference. You’ll make a difference for a lot of patients. You’ll make a difference to the doctors of the future. We thank you for allowing us to share your story and your bravery in sharing it.”

Learn more about the life-saving device and how it works.

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