After being turned down by doctors across the country, South Carolina woman underwent a successful bloodless heart surgery at UChicago Medicine

Susan Seyller, 73, has always had a heart for helping others. The retired cardiology nurse, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, built a career caring for vulnerable patients.

Yet when she needed surgery to replace a failing heart valve, every hospital she turned to refused to help.

A devout Jehovah’s Witness, Seyller required a procedure in accordance with her religious beliefs: a transfusion-free, “bloodless” surgery.

“Nobody would touch me with a 10-foot pole,” Seyller said.

Bloodless heart surgery is a safe alternative for patients with serious heart conditions who must or choose to decline the use of blood or blood products (red cells, white cells, plasma or platelets). Physicians use meticulous surgical techniques to minimize surgical blood loss and avoid the need for a transfusion during surgery.

Complications from Seyller’s previous valve replacement — it was discovered to be too small — had led to multiple health issues. Over time, Seyller suffered a stroke in her eye, worsening atrial fibrillation, and a grim prognosis: an estimated six months left to live.

“My cardiologist said I needed to have the new valve. He sent a packet with my tests and history to specialists in five different states. They all said ‘No.’ One even told me if he attempted to operate, I would bleed to death,” Seyller said.

She was undeterred. She leaned on Larry, her husband of 53 years, her faith community, and her local medical resources, hoping for a miracle.

In what Seyller described as “a right-on-time answer to prayer,” a contact with the Jehovah’s Witness Hospital Liaison Committee recommended Valluvan Jeevanandam, MD, an expert in high-risk cardiac surgery at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Jeevanandam is nationally renowned for his skill in performing bloodless cardiac surgeries. UChicago Medicine is one of the few hospitals in the nation with a Bloodless Heart Surgery Program.

“The second my team started talking about her, I knew I could help,” Jeevanandam said.

For Jeevanandam, this specialized surgery has a personal connection. In the 1990s, his father had complications after open-heart surgery due to excessive bleeding.

“My mother was convinced my dad developed neurological issues from the bleeding. So, I thought to myself, ‘Is there a way to take care of my patients without bleeding?’” Jeevanandam said.

Medical advances, combined with his self-described perfectionism, have led to thousands of positive outcomes for patients who need blood-free surgeries.

“My approach to taking care of patients differentiates us with this highly complex group of patients,” he said. “If I build something, I’m going to go the extra mile to make sure it’s done perfectly. This approach helped create an outstanding Heart and Vascular Center team and has led to superior outcomes for all our patients.”

UChicago Medicine also sets itself apart in another vein when treating complex, bloodless patients — compassionate care.

“Other hospitals are either honest and say, ‘We can’t take care of you,’ or they lead bloodless patients along and try to convince them to take blood,” Jeevanandam said. “We have a dedicated team with our bloodless coordinators, and we go out of our way to take care of these patients.”

Seyller immediately felt the difference between the level of care at UChicago Medicine versus some of the other hospitals that turned her away.

“My religious beliefs were respected more than at any other place. I felt confident and very protected,” she said.

Seyller consented to a series of tests and was cleared for surgery. She traveled from South Carolina to Chicago and her three-hour procedure took place on October 23, 2023. Jeevanandam discovered other issues with her right coronary artery and mitral valve and repaired them on the spot as well.

“I'm not even sure if I had a day left to live,” Seyller said. “Everything went beautifully. I woke up the next day and thought, ‘I’m alive.’”

Seyller and her husband canceled plans to make funeral arrangements. Now, they are organizing vacations and time with their children and grandchildren.

“Dr. Jeevanandam is the best-kept secret,” Seyller said. “He gave me my life back.”