Published: July 7, 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
What began as what felt like a bad cold turned into a life-or-death emergency for Dave Scott.
The 68-year-old had no history of heart disease and initially dismissed chest tightness as part of a lingering cold — until intense pain set in hours later.
When he told his wife, Beth, that something didn’t feel right, she called 911. Paramedics rushed Dave to Norton Brownsboro Hospital. That’s where his memory stops.
What followed, Beth recalls, was a blur of rapid decisions and extraordinary medical care.
At Norton Brownsboro Hospital, physicians placed two stents but couldn’t fully clear extensive clotting, and he was transferred to Norton Audubon Hospital for specialized heart care. At that point, Beth believed her husband would be OK, but his condition quickly deteriorated.
Within minutes of arriving at Norton Audubon Hospital, Dave said he felt sick — then suddenly went into cardiac arrest.
“I watched it happen,” Beth said. “One of the staff jumped on him and started chest compressions. It was exactly like you see in the movies. Very graphic. Very intense.”
After four minutes, Dave’s heart restarted. Dave had gone into cardiogenic shock, which means his heart was not working well enough to keep him alive. That’s when Beth was confronted with a critical choice.
Mohammad F. Mathbout, M.D., interventional cardiologist with Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, told Beth that Dave’s body was failing and that extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) — was his only chance.“The odds were low, but without it, we would lose him,” Dr. Mathbout said.
Beth said, “Do the ECMO.”
ECMO is a form of advanced life support used when the heart and lungs no longer can function on their own. After the three-hour procedure to connect Dave to the lifesaving ECMO, Dr. Mathbout came to the waiting room to let Beth and her daughter know that Dave had made it through — and that what would come next would involve waiting for Dave’s body to heal.
Dave spent five days on ECMO and seven days connected to a respirator. Beth stayed at his bedside as his condition remained touch and go.
Their son was able to travel in to be with the family during the critical days.
Slowly, signs of progress appeared. Those small moments gave Beth hope that Dave might survive.
Dave’s first memories were seeing his family — unaware of how close he had come to dying.
“There was really no pain from the ECMO,” Dave said. “The only lingering issue is numbness in my leg, where the ECMO was placed. But if it’s a choice between life or leg, I’ll take life every time.”
According to the Scott family, Dave received phenomenal care from Norton Heart & Vascular Institute doctors, including Dr. Mathbout; Bassel Alkhalil, M.D., heart failure cardiologist; and the late Kelly C. McCants, M.D.; who nicknamed Dave the “Miracle Man.” The family also thanked nurse practitioners Emily E. Corsentino, APRN, and Kimberly M. Vessels, APRN, for their care during Dave’s two-week stay at Norton Audubon Hospital.
After leaving the hospital, Dave completed a 36-session cardiac rehabilitation program through Norton Healthcare and continues to follow an annual care plan with Dr. Alkhalil.
Once he completed cardiac rehabilitation, Dave returned to daily life and focused on his family, including spending time with his grandchildren — moments he nearly lost.
“Knowing how different things could have been, you really cherish life and what really matters: family,” he said.
In gratitude for the lifesaving care Dave received, the Scott family made a gift to support a new ECMO transport initiative, expanding access to lifesaving care for patients too unstable to travel otherwise to an ECMO-equipped hospital.
“God was looking down on us.” Dave said. “We made it to the hospital in time, but if this transport vehicle can help even one person who wouldn’t otherwise survive, it’s well worth it.”
Beth praised the care team’s coordination and compassion during the most difficult days.
“They worked as a true team,” Beth said. “You could see it. You could feel it.”
For the Scotts, the donation is about gratitude, awareness and giving others the chance at life that Dave received after almost dying.
Dave lives each day to the fullest, a life filled with family, purpose and the quiet miracle of simply being here.
Join the Scotts in supporting innovations like ECMO transport that give critically ill patients a fighting chance. Donate now.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute has been recognized as a 2026 Gold Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is alone in Louisville in receiving this award.