Since his first arrival to this world, my hubby and i have never left our sight on our little precious boy...IAN. Coming September, Ian will turns 3. However, that day scenario keep flashing in my memory as if it was yesterday.
On 3 Sept, was admitted for delivery however failed to give birth naturally after 14hours trying. Hence, sent in for emergency C-section. Was semi awake, while my little boy was delivered and I've carried him for awhile. Still can remember i told my boy that he looks just like his daddy. On 5 Sept morning, his doctor came into my room and told me alone that my precious little boy who is less than a day old need an open heart surgery else he will not make it. It was due to Ian have an heart disease called "Pulmonary Atresia". At that moment of times, my world have collapsed. Have cried my heart out and slipped into depression. Fortunately, we have the best cardiologist - Dr William Yip and surgery - Dr Shankar where they have successfully operated on him twice during his 1st year and Ian have recovered very fast. All people around him have called him the "SURVIVOR" .
What is Pulmonary atresia?
Pulmonary atresia is a type of congenital heart defect in which the pulmonic valve is permanently closed or completely absent from the heart. The pulmonic valve is located between the lower-right chamber of the heart (right ventricle) and the pulmonary artery. The valve normally opens and closes at precise moments to allow the smooth passage of oxygen-poor blood from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery and to the lungs. The complete closure of the pulmonic valve means that oxygen-poor blood cannot reach the lungs as it normally does in order to get fresh oxygen. Because blood is prevented from getting to the lungs for fresh oxygen, the baby’s body does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, the baby is born with a bluish tint (cyanosis) to the skin, lips, fingernails and other parts of the body, a condition often called blue baby. Although the pulmonic valve is closed, the baby can get enough oxygen immediately after birth because of certain structures unique to a newborn's heart. These are temporary openings that connect vital areas of the heart during prenatal development. These structures are called the foramen ovale, connecting the right and left atria, and ductus arteriosus, connecting the aorta to the pulmonary artery. In a normal baby, both of these structures close within the first few days or weeks of birth. For a baby with pulmonary atresia, this is very dangerous because it closes off the only connection between the lungs and the circulatory system. For this reason, keeping these structures open is important to allow blood with oxygen to circulate throughout the baby’s body.
During Ian's 2Nd year, he diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia or SVT. Where Ian been admitted for 5 times to seek emergency treatment to reverse his heart rate. Now, Ian is on long term medication "Flecainide" to increases the effect of digoxin.
With all these experiences, have learnt to cherish/care more on the people around me, life are precious and nothing is more IMPORTANT than family and its support.
Besides, would like to thank you Dr Shankar,Dr William Yip, staffs of Gleneagles and Shankar's office for your supports.
What is SVT?
SVT is an abnormal fast heart rhythm that starts in the upper chambers, or the atria, of the heart. ("Supraventricular" means above the ventricles, "tachy" means fast, and "cardia" means heart.)Normally, the heart's electrical system precisely controls the rhythm and rate at which the heart beats. In supraventricular tachycardia, abnormal electrical connections (or abnormal firing of the connections) cause the heart to beat too fast. Typically, during supraventricular tachycardia episodes, the heart speeds up to rates of 150 to 200 beats per minute and occasionally as high as 300. After some time, the heart returns to a normal rate (60 to 100 beats per minute) on its own or after treatment.Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is also called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) or paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT).
Reference
Dr Shankar S Shankar Cardio Thoracic & Vascular Surgical Clinic Pte Ltd 6 Napier Rd #02-12 Singapore 258499Tel : 6479-7718Fax : 6479-6133
Dr William Yip Singapore Baby & Child Clinic Gleneagles Medical Centre 07-01/03 Tel : 6235 6706 Fax : 6734 8898
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