Non-Surgical Valve Replacement

I first caught wind of this while – ironically – in recovery from open heart surgery to replace a valve. It was on the UK show Child in a Million, about kids undergoing major surgical procedures. The cute little boy was having the exact same valve replacement that I’d just had – but without the whole chopping-open-the-chest thing. Wowsers. Sadly, it’s not available worldwide as yet, or to all patients where it is being done. But it’s a bright beacon of hope to those of us facing multiple open heart surgeries over the decades.

FAQ at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (where the technique was developed)

Non-surgical Valve Replacement on 9 month old (2004)

Fact sheet from Child in a Million about Matthew’s surgery