This surgery, performed just eight times in the United States, is a novel therapy that uses bone marrow stem cells to stimulate regeneration of the heart muscle after a heart attack.
Plummer, who has had a heart attack, decided that this treatment was a viable option for him.
"Any surgery poses risk, but there was promise of a real strong upside," said Plummer, who went through the procedure during spring break. "I'll be watched and tested for a good year and followed up for several more years. I'm having frequent echograms and other testing as well, but I'm getting great care."
Plummer said he feels "fine" and that from a patient's point of view, the surgery is not very "difficult."
"(My family) was very supportive and have been very supportive," Plummer said. "My wife and my son's daughter have all visited me in the hospital, and my grandson thinks it's cool."
Dr. David Zhao, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Interventional Cardiology, said Plummer's surgery is just the beginning.
"We have the permission to do 10 more (surgeries)," Zhao said. "It depends whether the patient fits the criteria. We are looking for patients every day."
The surgery performed over spring break launched a program that spans five centers across the nation.
"This is going to define stem cell therapy for the next 10 or 20 years," Zhao said. "Vanderbilt is going to lead the country in this endeavor."
