Alex Lucas’ underlying congenital heart disease led to heart and liver problems as he neared adulthood. After another hospital told Alex his case was too complex, he was evaluated for a combined heart-liver transplant at Duke Health. Alex ultimately underwent a standalone heart transplant in 2022, but that’s not all he experienced at Duke. Thanks to a chance run-in with Duke’s baseball coach, Alex threw out the first pitch at a Duke baseball game in March 2026, fulfilling a boyhood dream. Today, Alex is happy to be feeling well and back to work. “We don't take a single day for granted because we know that every day is a gift,” said Alex’s mother Vicki Lucas.
Starting Out Life with Extra Challenges
People like Alex Lucas -- born in the late 1990s with a complex congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome -- are living longer. However, the surgical repairs that save their lives when they are children can contribute to major problems down the road. Alex, now 28, was no exception. As a college student, he developed heart failure and his liver began to show signs of distress. “These young people have made it through a heroic set of measures in their younger years to preserve their life, but that does impact them long-term,” said Duke Transplant Hepatologist Matthew R. Kappus, MD.
Looking for Advanced Heart and Liver Care
Alex sought care at a hospital in his home state of Maryland, where doctors concluded he may need a heart and/or liver transplant, but they said his case was too complex. Alex and his mom Vicki turned to Duke Health because it is one of the best transplant centers in the country, especially for people who may need a multi-organ transplant.
“This is a highly challenging group of patients, because they require expertise that crosses multiple disciplines -- radiology, pathology, hepatology, cardiology, abdominal surgery, cardiothoracic surgery,” said Dr. Kappus, who helped evaluate Alex for a liver transplant. “We have every piece of that puzzle here.”
Dr. Kappus collaborated closely with Duke Transplant Cardiologist Chetan B. Patel, MD, and other key team members. “We've all worked together for a long time, so there's a lot of trust,” Dr. Patel said. “To use a sports analogy, when we pass the ball, we know where our colleague is going to be, we know exactly what our teammates are capable of, and everyone knows their role.”
After a thorough evaluation, the transplant team recommended a heart transplant, believing a new heart would allow Alex’s liver to recover and thrive. Alex was added to the heart transplant waitlist in April 2022 and received his new heart that October. A few months later, Alex was back home in Maryland and back to work at a local grocery store.
The Cherry on Top
Alex and his mom often travel back to Durham, NC for routine follow-up appointments. During one trip in late 2025, they bumped into Duke baseball coach Corey Muscara, who was inspired by Alex’s story. “What really stood out to me was his resilience, his attitude, his ability to stay positive and upbeat and keep moving forward,” Muscara said. When Vicki mentioned her son was a big baseball fan, Coach Muscara invited Alex to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming game. He did so on March 31, 2026. "It was an honor to throw out the first pitch,” Alex said. “The entire Duke baseball team made me feel like one of their own. I would happily do it again!"
Support for the Future
These days, Alex stays busy at work and is feeling great. He still attends follow-up appointments with Drs. Patel and Kappus to monitor his liver. “I tell Alex, ‘Let me take care of the worrying,'” Dr. Kappus said. “’You just keep looking at your next goalpost and go for it, and if we come up against barriers or hurdles, we'll figure out how to navigate those together.'”
