Expansionary Institute

Forum Admin
futurist3000@aol.com

Breakthrough in foetal heart surgery



A pioneering heart operation performed on an unborn baby 18 months ago has been hailed a success by surgeons.
The micro-surgical technique allowed the mother to carry her child to full term, avoiding premature birth-related complications.

Doctors from London's Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust and the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS trust developed a technique of dilating underdeveloped pulmonary valves while the baby was in the womb.

Abnormal closure of the pulmonary valves means that blood cannot circulate freely through the heart.

This prevents growth of one side of the baby's organ, causing life threatening complications during pregnancy.

Until now there have only been 14 reported similar attempts to perforate or stretch cardiac valves worldwide, with all but one on the aortic valve. Only half have been technically successful and there has been one long-term survivor.
Dr Helena Gardiner, leading the London research, told The Lancet: "For the first time in the UK we've successfully performed balloon dilation.

"With more experience, better equipment and a growing understanding of the foetus, this technique could be developed to help other unborn babies in danger of heart failure."
The pioneering operation, carried out through the mother's abdomen using ultrasound technology for guidance, resulted in immediately improved circulation and normal ventricular growth for the baby.

The child is now healthy, has good blood circulation and a healthy heart, according to doctors.

Copyright Ananova 2002 all rights reserved
© Copyright 2002 PA News. Copying, storing, redistribution, retransmission, publication, transfer or commerical exploitation of this information is expressly forbidden.
11/14/2002 19

Doctors Creating History: Breakthrough in foetal heart surgery