A Heart’s Journey: Mikey’s Triumph Over Complete Heart Block
In the realm of expectancy, Sarah and Michael Oliveri eagerly anticipated their third child. However, their hopes were eclipsed by a somber revelation during their 20-week ultrasound: their unborn baby had a heart block, a condition they had never encountered before.
Unveiling Heart Block
A heart block occurs when the electrical impulses that govern the heart’s rhythm stumble on their journey from the upper to lower chambers. This malfunction can result in a decelerated or skipped heartbeat, possibly leading to diminished blood flow throughout the body. The Oliveris’ baby was diagnosed with a complete heart block, a severe form of the condition.
Adapting to a Miniature Masterpiece
Most babies with heart block require pacemakers, but there was a catch in Mikey’s case: his tiny size rendered him ineligible for a standard pacemaker. Instead, the team of pediatric cardiologists at NYU Langone turned to the Micra pacemaker, the world’s smallest. With its vitamin-like dimensions and pennyweight heft, it was still too large for Mikey.
Undeterred, they sought emergency approval for an adapted version of the device, custom-sized for infants. The surgery involved a single incision and implanted the pacemaker over Mikey’s heart, a delicate operation that lasted just 75 minutes.
Thriving on Implanted Hope
Post-surgery, Mikey flourished under the watchful eye of the pediatric cardiovascular care unit. Antibiotics guarded him against infection, and a special device monitored his pacemaker’s performance. After several weeks of vigilant observation, Mikey was released from the hospital, donning a celebratory graduation cap and baby-blue onesie.
A Life Reimagined
Follow-up appointments with Dr. Reina Tan and Dr. T.K. Susheel Kumar showed Mikey’s heart functioning normally. The Oliveri family returned home with a device that wirelessly communicated with the pacemaker, enabling remote monitoring. While the pacemaker’s battery will require replacement in years to come, Mikey’s future holds promise for an ordinary life, free from his heart’s once-threatening ailment.
Today, Mikey delights his parents and older brothers with his contagious joy. At over two and a half months old, he embodies resilience and the unwavering spirit of his care team, who collaborated to write a triumphant chapter in his heart’s story.
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