Leo Gillick
There is a heart surgery so complex and risky that only a handful of hospitals are even equipped to do it. However, one teen with no other options has managed not only to undergo the rare surgery, but also to come out alive and well, marking only the second to ever do so.
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Born Bad: Andrew Miles, a Savannah teen, was born with acute systolic heart failure. This rare condition means that his heart is too weak to pump blood around his body. The debilitating heart problem has been a constant problem throughout his life.
- There are few options for a situation like this. However, there is one incredibly rare and difficult heart surgery that could save the teen’s life, provided they could find someone to perform it. He was repeatedly turned away by doctors telling him a transplant wasn’t possible.
Brave Surgeon: However, one surgeon, Dr. Mani Daneshmand, claimed they would be able to save his life with a rare surgery. The family, at a loss for what to do, chose to risk it all.
Serious Surgery
With few options left, the family decided to go ahead with the complex operation. However, it had only been performed successfully once before. There are very few surgeries or surgeons capable of doing the procedure.
- However, the surgeon in control of the operation was the right man for the job. Not only was he highly qualified, but he had also invented the HeartMate 6 LVAD procedure. The mechanical implant was designed to replace the failing heart, keeping blood flowing.
- Amy Miles, Andrew’s mom, said, “He took Andrew when nobody else would. It was our last resort – and he gave him a chance to live.”
The family was delighted to learn that the rare surgery was a complete success. This marks the second of two people to ever receive the implant. It has a 100% success rate, but is incredibly niche. Now, though, the teen can live an almost normal life.
The only restriction he has is that he can’t go swimming. But this is a small price to pay for a functioning heart.
