Cardiologist at Texas Children's Hospital Implants New Heart Valve Sparing Teen from Open Heart Surgery

HOUSTON - (Sept. 7, 2010) - Using a newly FDA approved pulmonary valve, Dr.Frank Ing, director of the catheterization laboratory at TexasChildren's Hospital and his team of pediatric interventional cardiologistsimplanted a transcatheter pulmonary heart valve into the heart of a 13-year-oldgirl, which spared her from having her chest opened for a third heart surgery.

The patient, Jessica Mireles, underwent a 4 and a half-hour cardiacinterventional catheterization on Tuesday, August 24 to replace a worn-outpulmonary valve, which had been placed at the time of her first open heartsurgery at 2 1/2 years of age. Jessica, born with multiple heart defects whichrequired two open heart surgeries over the course of her life, was facing athird operation about the time that the Melody transcatheter pulmonary valvewas approved for use in the United States. Believing that this new device wouldbenefit Jessica, her cardiologist recommended that she be one of the firstpatients at Texas Children's to get the new valve.

The pulmonary valve, made from the jugular vein of a cow, was deliveredthrough a straw-like catheter into a conduit between her right ventricle andpulmonary artery. The procedure required only a small incision in her leg. Sheis expected to leave the hospital after an overnight stay and return to normalactivities within a week.

"It was immediately evident that the valve was working as it should,"said Dr. Ing, also associate professor of pediatrics-cardiology at BaylorCollege of Medicine. "We could watch on the screen and see that the valveclosed and opened as a normal valve should do. It was gratifying for my wholeteam to see that such a device could spare a young girl from having her chestand heart opened once again."

The minimally invasive valve is suited for school-age children,adolescents and teens who have been born with a malformed pulmonary valve - thevalve between the heart and lungs. Usually these children have experienced oneor more heart surgeries to repair or replace failed pulmonary valves due tonormal body growth.

In a two-day period, Dr. Ing and his team implanted the valveinto Jessica plus two other patients who also would have required open heartsurgery. Cardiologists said all three patients experienced successful resultsand would require only an overnight stay at the hospital.

"We look forward to providing this treatment to other patients," saidDr. Ing. We are always pleased when we can offer young people a non-surgicaloption for ongoing valve replacement, which is needed as they grow."

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.