Good news: Tot on heart machine did so well, no need for transplant now

[havocmom]

Did you catch this one? Toddler in Tucson with enlarged heart so much better after her heart gained strength during time on an experimental heart device from Europe, the Berlin Heart.

The Berlin Heart was designed especially for children and has not been approved for use in the US as of yet. Special permission is needed to use them here.

http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/119959.php

While the device pumped for her failing heart, the 15-month-old girl — who had been put on the list for a heart transplant — recovered so well that UMC doctors released her Saturday.

"She's playing nonstop now. Her energy is great; she's eating and sleeping well. She's back to her normal self," said Ryan Lopez, Tiana's father.

Such a return to health was considered unlikely when Tiana first arrived at UMC with a severely enlarged heart barely able to pump her blood. Doctors immediately requested permission from federal health authorities to use the unapproved Berlin Heart to keep her alive, sent to Germany for it, and implanted it in Tiana on Feb. 7.

To the surprise and delight of her entire medical team, Tiana's heart grew strong enough to pump on its own two weeks ago, ending her need for either a transplant or the device. Although not quite normal, her heart function improved enough to allow her to return home last weekend, with no limits on her activity.

Medical team in Tucson didn't know for sure which size she would need, so they ordered 2 different sizes. They are now using the smaller one for an infant who is having problems, possibly due to viral infection damaging the heart.

"improved enough to allow her to return hom last weekend, with no limits on her activity" WOW. Yeah, I know, science can do amazing things, WOW!

[benburch]

1. What a great story.

Some day, they will find a cure for Republicanism.

[IndyOp]

2. Science? Useless. Disrespects the Sanctity of God-Given Life.

Then again: O8)

[havocmom]

7. She is a CUTIE, isn't she?

There is as good a reason for fighting for EVERYTHING we believe as anything you will see all day!

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. When was the last time the U.S. came up with something innovative?

There's so many anti-science factions here, I'm surprised we still know where to strike a matchstick to get a flame.

[MuseRider]

4. Shhhhhhh!

Don't give them any more ideas.

We have sunk so low in such a short time. It is disgusting and embarrassing. I fear for my old age (coming very soon).

This is a lovely story, I hope that this helps many more beautiful children.

Edit as embarrassing as my spelling errors!

[Warpy]

5. I've worked with patients on LVAD devices for years

and think the potential for treatment of heart failure in adults will be in assistive pumps installed into the aorta, not heart transplants or artificial hearts. I say this because I've seen poor surgical candidates awaiting transplant who have had the present devices inserted regain their strength, reverse damage to major organs like kidneys, and generally improve to the point that getting a transplanted organ provided a setback instead of an improvement in quality of life. The problems have been that they have damaged the heart to insert the device and the equipment and battery packs have been extremely bulky with short off-circuit battery life.

The artificial heart has been a long term dream of most cardiologists and surgeons, but it might be the wrong approach. Assisting a failing heart's ability might be the superior approach, reducing the stress on the organ and allowing the maximum in self repair.

[havocmom]

6. Appreciate your comments. Most encouraging indeed!

Yes, seems the heart can grow stronger with a bit of help. Perhaps many young hearts in particular. Amazing that this youngester did so much better in just a couple weeks. Shows promise for many, I would think.

They do a lot of heart transplants and artificial hearts in Tuscon and Pheonix, I believe. Good to see they are not limiting the treatment options just to those.