Owen's CHD Story

Meet Heart Warrior Owen. His mom shares his incredible story below:

"At my 20-week anatomy scan, I was told that my baby may not live. My ultrasound was abnormal and something was wrong with my baby. I was transferred to a Maternal Fetal Specialist who was able to determine Owen had some pretty complex heart problems. These doctors were not hopeful for his outcome. From there we were referred to a pediatric cardiologist with Children's of Alabama. They were able to determine in utero that Owen had dextrocardia, pulmonary atresia, transposition of the great arteries, and double outlet right ventricle. He would require a surgery that is only performed once every three to four years at Children's of Alabama. But thankfully, they had a plan.

On April 10, 2022, Owen made his appearance weighing 7 lbs, 10 oz, and was 21 inches long. Immediately the neonatal/cardiac team whisked him away to get prostaglandins started to keep his Ductus Arteriosus open, so he was able to continue to get oxygen. At 5 days old, a stent was placed in the Ductus Arteriosus to keep it open without the medication. After a 2 week hospital stay we were sent home for him to grow as big as he could in preparation for his next procedure.

After monthly cardiology visits, it was decided at 7 months old he was big and healthy enough to undergo his first open heart procedure. We went down to Children's of Alabama and Dr. Dabal performed a Rastelli procedure with a Senning atrial switch. An artificial valve was placed as well. While the procedure itself was a success, there were some complications with Owen coming on and off the bypass machine and they had to leave his chest open for four days after the procedure. He had so much swelling he had to undergo peritoneal dialysis to try to pull some of the excess fluid off. He also had a stroke scare and it was found he has a post-operative subdural hematoma from the bleeding and anticoagulants. It was very touch and go for a little bit, but Owen was strong and pulled through. We were discharged after a month in the hospital.

Not even 2 months later, Owen was having difficulty breathing. I took him to our pediatrician thinking it might be an ear infection with a cold. Knowing Owen's story, my pediatrician's nurse immediately checked his oxygen saturation levels, and they were in the 70s. They rushed us to our local pediatric emergency room to get him stabilized. It was found that he was positive for Rhino/Enterovirus. Since our hospital wasn't equipped to handle a baby with heart issues like Owen, we were transferred to Children's of Alabama. What I thought would be a few days stay for observation turned into one of the scariest moments in my life. Not even 24 hours after we were admitted to Children's, Owen was having an extremely hard time breathing. He had to be emergently intubated and was transferred back into the CVICU. There, they ran some tests and found out that the atrial switch that had been performed had scarred over and the blood flow through that area was restricted, causing Owen's blood acidity to rise, making it hard for him to breathe.

At this point, Dr. Dabal decided that it would be best for Owen to go back in and revise the atrial switch with a sutureless repair. Even though Owen was sick, he felt it was imperative to get in there before more damage was caused. Luckily, this procedure went well and Owen was able to come out with his chest closed. After a month stay, Owen was discharged.

Owen has come a very long way in his short life. He's now 19 months old and in various therapies to help him catch up. Owen will eventually have to get his valve replaced, but hopefully that will be all he needs. As his mom, he has shown me was true courage and resilience are. I am so thankful for my little heart warrior."