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When Pastor Vic Comstock arrived at a hospital near his home in Moberly, Missouri, he thought he was battling pneumonia. Vic faced a series of life-threatening complications, including sepsis, respiratory failure, and dehydration. His lungs would clear, only to fill again. He was placed on a ventilator, received two emergency shocks to stabilize his heart rhythm, and, at one point, his condition was described as “touch and go.”
After two weeks in intensive care, tests revealed a more serious condition: an acute rupture of the mitral valve chordae, which is a tear in the tiny cords that hold one of his heart valves in place, leaving his heart unable to pump blood effectively.
Doctors recommended that Vic be transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a major Midwest referral center, for advanced heart care. Upon arrival, he was evaluated by Tsuyoshi Kaneko, MD, a WashU Medicine cardiothoracic surgeon.
“Vic was extremely sick when I first met him,” Dr. Kaneko recalls. “He was on a breathing tube, supported by a temporary heart pump to help his heart’s left ventricle circulate blood, and was in the cardiac ICU in critical condition.”
A Lifesaving Surgery
For cases like Vic’s, surgical repair is the gold standard. However, in high-risk cases, a minimally invasive mitral clip procedure can help repair the valve. Dr. Kaneko knew from Vic’s echocardiogram that the clip wasn’t going to be effective — Vic had mitral valve prolapse, which causes severe blood leakage and forces the heart to work harder. Given Vic’s other complications, he needed immediate open-heart surgery.
“The biggest question was whether his body could tolerate surgery,” Dr. Kaneko explains. “But I knew the best option was to repair the valve rather than replace it. Preserving a patient’s own valve leads to better outcomes when it’s possible.”
In addition to performing a complex mitral valve repair, Dr. Kaneko and his team also performed a Cox-Maze procedure, which creates a precise pattern of scar tissue to block abnormal heart rhythms while allowing normal signals to pass through and was developed by WashU Medicine cardiothoracic surgeons. They were also able to remove the mechanical pump that had been supporting Vic’s heart. Despite the elevated risks, the surgery saved Vic’s life.
Faith, Hope, and Compassionate Care
Vic’s faith never wavered. “God laid His hand on my heart and told me this sickness would not end in death,” Vic recalls. As a devoted pastor, he drew strength from his belief and from the prayers of his church community. 
“My family was told more than once that I shouldn’t be here,” Vic says. “The care I received at Barnes-Jewish was outstanding. From the doctors to the ICU nurses, everyone went above and beyond. They were truly remarkable. They cared for me like I was family.”
Vic describes the experience as life changing. Unable to speak for part of his stay, he remembers hearing voices of encouragement and many prayers. “That human connection made all the difference,” he says. “It gave me strength when I needed it most.”
The results were incredible. “It was a dramatic turnaround,” Dr. Kaneko says. “When I saw him shortly before he was going to be discharged, I smiled. That’s the kind of recovery that stays with you as a surgeon.”
Grateful for the Gift of More Time
After 30 days of hospitalization, Vic returned home in time to celebrate his birthday and wedding anniversary with his family. Today, he is thriving in cardiac rehabilitation and grateful for every moment.
“It’s good to be alive,” Vic says with a smile. “Thanks to the incredible team at WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, I have more time to spend with my family, my friends, my church, and the people I care about. I’m just so thankful.”
This story was adapted from a story originally published by BJC HealthCare: Beating the Odds: A Pastor’s Journey Through Advanced, Lifesaving Heart Care | BJC.