Blalock-Taussig (BT) Shunt, Cardiac Catheterization, Heart, News

Norton Children’s Heart Institute’s Owensboro location treats children with heart defects close to home

Baylor Rusher was born in March 2021 with several heart defects — double-inlet left ventricle, great vessels transposition and stenosis of the pulmonary artery. It all started with a routine ultrasound. Chelsea Rusher, who was pregnant with her son, Baylor, was getting a 20-week anatomy scan. During the scan, the provider noticed a complication: It…

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Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), Blalock-Taussig (BT) Shunt, Cardiomyopathy, COVID19, Fontan Procedure, Glenn Procedure, Heart, Heart Failure, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, Norwood Procedure, Pulmonary Atresia, Pulmonary Hypertension, Tricuspid Atresia

COVID-19: Implications for children and adults with congenital heart disease

We do not currently have a lot of information about COVID-19 infection in children and adults with congenital heart disease and outcomes. However, based on what is known, we think some patients may be at higher risk of complications. In addition to social distancing, personal hygiene and other measures recommended at KYCOVID19.ky.gov, there are some…

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Blalock-Taussig (BT) Shunt, Fontan Procedure, Glenn Procedure, Heart, Open Heart Surgery, Patient Stories

Schielar Skaggs almost didn’t make it – but he fought

Before he was born, Schielar Skaggs’ parents, Terry and Melissa, worried about the life their son would have. Would he survive childbirth? If he did, would his life be short and filled with suffering and surgeries? Tests during Melissa’s pregnancy showed Schielar had a complex congenital heart condition known as hypoplastic right heart syndrome with…

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