From heart failure to hope: Andy Biermann’s recovery journey after a heart transplant

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2025) — Just weeks after receiving a lifesaving heart transplant, Andy Biermann is living proof of resilience.

What once seemed like an unthinkable ordeal has transformed into a story of hope, perseverance and renewed life. As he walks through the halls of UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, reflecting on his battle with heart disease, Andy is filled with gratitude for his new heart, the unwavering support of his wife, Sarabeth, and a fresh outlook on life.

Before his latest diagnosis, Andy and Sarabeth led an active lifestyle, filled with long walks, motorcycle rides and trips in their vintage car. But over time, and after a previous coronary bypass surgery, Andy began to notice a troubling fatigue that wore him down. Simple activities became increasingly difficult, and his afternoon naps became a daily necessity.

“The fatigue became cumbersome,” Andy said. “It was something I couldn’t ignore anymore.”

His physician, Maya Ignaszewski, M.D., an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist at UK’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, discovered that Andy’s heart was failing to pump blood effectively. Despite an initial procedure to help regulate his heart, it became clear that his condition was worsening and not something medication alone could treat.

“Dr. Ignaszewski also noticed that at the cath lab, the numbers were declining, and they admitted me into the hospital,” Andy said.

Once hospitalized, Andy’s condition required an Impella 5.5 device, a type of left ventricular assist device. This procedure was performed by cardiothoracic surgeons Jin Woo Chung, M.D., and Masashi Kawabori, M.D., the surgical director of Mechanical Circulatory Support.

This small, temporary heart pump is inserted through an artery in the arm to assist the heart in pumping blood through the rest of the body. It helped Andy regain his capacity to exercise. While he was grateful for the device, Andy knew it was only a temporary solution. Ultimately, he would need a heart transplant.

Even as he faced this reality, Andy’s spirits remained high. His medical team encouraged him to stay active and engaged. The nurses recommended daily walks, which became a significant part of his hospital routine. Pushing the Impella’s controller in front of him, Andy made walking a daily ritual during his nine-week hospital stay. He walked 13 laps around the hospital corridor each day, at 5:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., eventually building up to a total of 26 laps a day, or 182 laps or 22 miles per week.

“I picked up the pace real fast because I was feeling good,” Andy said. “I could almost run with it, which I could not do before.”

Along the way, he became familiar with the nurses and other patients. His morning walks provided an opportunity for Andy to connect with those who were part of his journey.

“That was actually pretty fun,” Andy said. “When I saw a nurse I liked, I’d greet them in the morning, and they were just as happy to see me. We had a great time.”

But what made the transplant journey even more meaningful for Andy was a special connection he shared with his surgeon, Matthias Loebe, M.D., Ph.D., surgical director of heart transplantation at UK HealthCare.

Loebe, the lead surgeon in Andy’s transplant, wasn’t just a highly educated doctor, he was also from Andy’s hometown in Germany.

They would often speak German to each other and reminisce about the parts of Germany they missed the most. 

“It was unbelievably comforting,” Andy said. “Just the connection to Bremen, we communicated the way you do with somebody in your hometown.”

“The waiting time for heart transplants is long and that is particularly stressful for patients and their families,” Loebe said. “Our conversations about our hometown — he lived next door to my high school — helped him to handle this difficult time and distracted him from his situation while he was dependent on machines awaiting a donor heart.”

Throughout it all, Sarabeth was also by his side, offering constant emotional support and providing the stability he needed.

“She supported me every day,” Andy said. “Just having her there, I could always turn and look, and I knew she was with me. It made all the difference.”

Sarabeth’s role as Andy’s partner and confidante cannot be overstated. She helped him navigate the emotional weight of the situation, and together, they focused on one goal: Andy living a longer life.

The big moment arrived when Andy had his heart transplant, the “big kahuna,” as he called it.

Loebe explained that Andy’s new heart arrived in an organ perfusion system called TransMedics OCS Heart — a machine that keeps a donor heart warm and functioning by continuously pumping blood through it.

“We are the largest user of this new technology in the region,” Loebe said.

By using this system, the team is able to preserve hearts longer and transport them from farther distances, making more donor hearts available and improving outcomes for patients like Andy.

While the surgery was a success, it did come with some expected complexities. Due to Andy’s previous open-heart surgery and the significant scar tissue that developed, Loebe anticipated the need to leave his chest open temporarily. This approach, which lasted for about a day and a half, allowed the surgical team to manage swelling and ensured a safe recovery.

“When I walked into the room after surgery, I had the support of Andy’s nurse, Kim, and the entire team of physicians. But seeing his chest open... it was unlike anything I could have ever imagined experiencing,” Sarabeth said.

Despite the initial shock, Andy’s recovery was swift. After spending time in the hospital, he transitioned to recovery at home, where his healing journey continued successfully.

With thousands still on the transplant waiting list, the Biermanns have words of wisdom for anyone facing similar challenges.

“Be patient. Expect the unexpected, because it does happen. Trust your health care providers, especially the nurses,” said Sarabeth, who’s also a senior lecturer in the UK College of Social Work.

“Do your homework. Listen to the transplant coordinator, they will tell you everything in exact detail what will happen,” Andy said. “Also, be prepared. Take all the advice that they give them, that they give you. And be confident. And I think that will get you through.”