A Leader in Interventional Cardiology
For more information or to schedule and appointment please call The Heart Program at Miami Children's Hospital (305) 662-8301.
The Congenital Heart Institute at Miami Children’s Hospital is an international leader in the development of interventional cardiac catheterization techniques to treat congenital heart disorders.
The program was one of only three centers nationwide chosen to participate in a clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve in patients with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow. The device, developed by Medtronic, Inc, makes possible the replacement of a patient’s pulmonary valve without open-heart surgery. As a result of the trial, the device received FDA approval in 2010.
Minimally Invasive Management of Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease
Video-assisted endoscopic techniques for congenital heart disease were pioneered at The Heart Program. Using endoscopic cameras and specially designed instruments, several cardiac abnormalities can now be corrected through small punctures, avoiding large incisions in the patient’s chest. This minimally traumatic technique results in less post-operative pain, more rapid recovery and enhanced cosmetic results for the patient.
The following heart defects have been repaired using this revolutionary technique:
• Patent ductus arteriosus interruption
• Vascular ring division
• Pericardial window
• Diaphragm placation
• Thoracic duct ligation
• Ligation of collateral vessels
HELEX Septal Occluder: Repairs Atrial Septal Defects
Dr. Zahn was instrumental in the design, development and testing of the Gore HELEX Septal Occluder, which is used to repair atrial septal defects (ASD), a hole between the top two chambers of the heart. Dr. Zahn helped design the device, which is implanted and then deployed through a catheter. Dr. Zahn implanted the first patient in the United States with the device in 2000. After a multi-center U.S. trial, the Helex received FDA approval.
The Helex is made of nitinol wire and double discs of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), an ultra-thin membrane that encourages cellular growth. Once the Helex is in place, tissue grows around it and it becomes a permanent repair for the defective heart.
For more information or to schedule and appointment please call The Heart Program at Miami Children's Hospital (305) 662-8301.