Kimberly was diagnosed at birth with pulmonary atrecsia (an enlarged heart and narrow arteries). After five surgeries and several catheterization procedures, doctors realized that not only were her arteries still narrow, but Kimberly had developed a life-threatening aneurysm. Attempts to fix this problem with traditional methods failed. Evan Zahn, M.D., interventional cardiologist and director of the MCH Cardiac Catheterization Lab, was granted special permission by Boston Scientific to use their Wallgraft™—a device still undergoing medical trials, designed for use on adult patients to repair malfunctioning blood vessels via catheter. During a five-hour procedure, Dr. Zahn and his team inserted a piece of Wallgraft that was about half an inch wide and 1 1/2 inches long to repair the blood vessel and make the aneurysm eventually shrivel away to nothing. Kimberly was able to go home a few days later.
Congenital Heart Institute Patient Letters
- Xavier & Zachary
- Ricki
- Jillian
- Ashley
Congenital Heart Institute Success Stories
- From David's parents
- From Myranda's parents - Photo Story
- Kimberly - Catherization Lab
- Destiny - Catherization Lab
- Gabriella - Catherization Lab
- Parker Strong - Cardiovascular Surgery
- Raegan - Cardiovascular Surgery
- Daniel - Cardiovascular Surgery
Main Congenital Heart Institute page
For Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiovascular Surgery Information / Appointments Please call 305-662-8301