This is Emmy Kate! At 17 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus, meaning all of her organs are a mirror image of normal anatomy. At 20 weeks, the cardiologist diagnosed her with Heterotaxy. Her heart defects at birth were ASD, VSD, LVOTO, DORV, TGA, PS, and interrupted IVC. Last February, she had a Biventricular Repair at Boston Children’s Hospital with Dr. Emani.

On February 20, 2020, we heard the words that we had been waiting 16 months to hear…”I can do a Biventricular Repair.” Up until that point, we didn’t know if it would be possible at all, and we certainly never thought her first surgery would be a full repair.

Emmy was in surgery from 7:45 am-4:15 pm. She was on bypass for five of those hours. One of his primary concerns was protecting the electrical conduction system as much as possible. Fun fact – During Emmy’s surgery, Dr. Emani did a procedure in which he used an electrical probe to map the electrical system of the heart so that he didn’t cut through it. It is my understanding that Emmy was one of the first people ever to have this done, and it was successful!

Today, Emmy is a thriving, energetic, and strong-willed (almost) 2 year old! We are so grateful for Boston Children’s Hospital and all they have done for our sweet girl!

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