Mike Gramza Heart Transplant

In 2019, Michael Gramza – a husband, father, and friend – began his unexpected journey with heart failure. In May of 2019, an indeterminable virus attacked Mike’s heart, leaving the left side beating at just 10%. That coming fall he had a defibrillator put in place as a safety measure in case his heart stopped beating.

In September 2021, he noticed he was having a harder time breathing, which was affecting his everyday abilities. After getting this checked out, Mike found out he had advanced heart failure. Then, in October, he found himself back in the hospital for excessive fluid build up on his heart. After this discharge, he was readmitted in November, and was told he was in end stage heart failure, which meant his heart was not going to last much longer. He was then sent home on a permanent IV of Milrinone (milrinone was pumped through a port, reaching his heart, and relaxing the muscles in order for the blood to flow more easily.) He was then referred to Spectrums Heart and Lung Transplant Team in Grand Rapids.

After his recent first appointment there, it was determined that he would most likely qualify for an LVAD (ventricular assist device, used to replace the function of a failing heart), and then be placed on the transplant list for a heart. After only 2 weeks of testing Mike went in for his last set of tests at Spectrum. At that time, they discovered the right side of his heart function had also significantly decreased. Spectrum then admitted him immediately.

The team determined that they had to make a decision right away. He was approved for the LVAD and then transplant. This route would place him as a status 3 for transplant. After 3 days, the evening before the procedure to place the LVAD, his heart went into cardiac arrhythmia causing the surgery to come to a halt. An impella was placed in at that time to try and regulate that rhythm. The team also shocked his heart 3 times trying to get the right rhythm back. He was holding stable….if he does not improve overnight, he will be placed directly on the transplant list as a status 2 or status 1 as urgent. Mike will have to remain in the hospital until a donor heart becomes available.

Mike has always been a hard worker, a car fanatic, and an overall active person.. All of which have been near impossible to do anymore.

As a friend of Mike's, I'm setting this medical fundraiser to help offset the cost of his medical care. All funds raised will be used to specifically pay for any medical expenses that he might come a cross. If you are able to give, please do and know his family will thank you. And if you are unable to give, please share and continue to send your thoughts and prayers for the Gramza family.