Baby Andy's Congenital Heart Surgery Story

When Kelly and her husband Jesse found out they were pregnant, they were beyond excited.

Everything seemed completely normal—until our 20-week anatomy scan in December 2023. That day changed our lives with one sentence: “We think something is wrong with your baby’s heart, and you need to see a cardiologist immediately.”

We were quickly referred to Marcella Rodriguez, MD, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Southeast Perinatal Associates, who confirmed that Andy had a hypoplastic (underdeveloped) right ventricle (HRV) and Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA)—the great vessels (the pulmonary artery and the aorta) were reversed. Together, these issues meant our little guy would need surgery very early to survive.

That same day, we also met Katelyn Snyder, MD, medical director of Fetal Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiologist at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, who explained that Andy’s heart condition would require ongoing monitoring and complex procedures soon after birth.

From then on, an entire team rallied around us. My OB, Susan Davila, MD; Dr. Rodriguez; Dr. Snyder; and eventually Frank Scholl, MD, chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiac Surgery at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, all worked together to plan a safe induction and Andy’s subsequent surgeries.

Andy’s Birth and Transfer to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Andy was born at Memorial Regional Hospital Family Birthplace in April 2024. Soon after birth, he was transferred to the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. There, we learned his final diagnosis was more extensive than initially thought:

• Hypoplastic Right Ventricle (HRV): The right ventricle of Andy’s heart was underdeveloped.
• Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA): His aorta and pulmonary artery were switched.
• Coarctation of the Aorta: A narrowing in the major blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

Within 24 hours of birth, Andy underwent a Balloon Septostomy in the Cath lab—an important procedure to help oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood mix more effectively by enlarging a small opening in the upper chambers of the heart.

Norwood Procedure and ECMO

On May 7, Dr. Scholl performed the Norwood procedure, the first in a series of open-heart surgeries for babies with single-ventricle physiology (HRV and TGA). During this complex procedure, parts of the heart and aorta are reconstructed to better manage blood flow. The next day, Andy faced complications and needed Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)—a specialized machine that temporarily does the work of the heart and lungs, allowing the body time to recover— for about 24 hours.

Over the next three weeks, we watched Andy grow stronger. Finally, on his one-month birthday, we were able to take him home—forever grateful to the nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists who treated us like family.

Second Cath Procedure and the Glenn

Two months later, Andy was readmitted for a Cath lab procedure to balloon his aortic arch, which had started narrowing again. This minimally invasive intervention widened his aorta and improved blood flow. We returned home a few days later.

By early October, we prepared for Andy’s second open-heart surgery, the Glenn procedure, another vital step in single-ventricle palliation. Dr. Scholl performed this surgery, connecting the superior vena cava (SVC) directly to the pulmonary artery to reduce the heart’s workload. Andy recovered far faster than after his first operation and was home within a week.

Life After Congenital Heart Surgery

Since then, Andy has been doing wonderful. We still see our pediatric cardiology team regularly (and will for the rest of his life), but for now, we’re celebrating all the “normal” baby milestones. Andy has started eating solids, crawled on Christmas morning, and lights up every room with his smile.

Despite living with half a functioning heart, Andy’s future is brighter thanks to Dr. Scholl and the entire cardiac team at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. As a former NICU nurse, hearing “congenital heart defect” was overwhelming, but the dedication and expertise of Andy’s care team have shown us the amazing resilience of cardiac kids.

Meeting Andy, you’d never guess the rollercoaster of surgeries he’s already endured. My husband and I joke that if he could talk, he might say: “Hi, I’m Andy, and I’m just happy to be here!” He truly is the most easygoing, always-smiling little boy—and we’re forever grateful he’s ours.

Disclaimer: This story reflects Kelly, Jesse, and Andy's unique journey. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and treatment options for your baby’s specific condition.