{"id":163962,"date":"2024-08-06T12:11:12","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T18:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/?p=163962"},"modified":"2024-12-10T17:05:26","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T23:05:26","slug":"mexico-first-self-expanding-heart-valve-implant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tecscience.tec.mx\/en\/health\/mexico-first-self-expanding-heart-valve-implant\/","title":{"rendered":"The Story Behind Mexico’s First Self-Expanding Heart Valve Implant"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jes\u00fas Francisco Garc\u00eda<\/strong> was born with a congenital heart defect<\/strong> known as Tetralogy of Fallot. At just five years old, he underwent open-heart surgery at Texas Children\u2019s Hospital to correct the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tetralogy of Fallot<\/strong> is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease<\/a> and one of the first to be successfully repaired by congenital heart surgeons. It is often diagnosed shortly after birth when a baby\u2019s skin appears bluish or gray<\/a>. A heart murmur is typically present, which sounds like a whooshing noise when listened to with a stethoscope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter his surgery, he led a normal, quiet life, with plenty of rest, and could continue his studies,\u201d his father recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now 35 years old<\/strong>, Jes\u00fas Francisco\u2019s situation changed dramatically six years ago. He started frequenting emergency rooms due to a sensation of impending doom and panic attacks. This led him to seek help from Cecilia Britton<\/strong> at TecSalud<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Britton and her team of interventional cardiologists performed a groundbreaking procedure, implanting a self-expanding Venus P-Valve in Jes\u00fas Francisco<\/strong>. This marked the first time such a procedure was done in Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\r\n \r\n \"\"\r\n <\/picture>
Jes\u00fas Francisco’s father, Jes\u00fas Francisco, and Dr. Cecilia Britton (Photo: Courtesy TecSalud)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mexico’s First Self-Expanding Heart Valve Implant<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Britton explains that patients who undergo surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot can later develop pulmonary insufficiency, making it crucial to identify the optimal time to place a valve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the surgery, Jes\u00fas Francisco felt nervous and uncertain. \u201cAs I researched more and gathered information, I started feeling better about deciding to go through with it,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Venus P-Valve treats pulmonary insufficiency by preventing blood from flowing back into the heart from the lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe hadn\u2019t had the opportunity to access these valves in our country, but now it\u2019s a reality<\/strong>,\u201d says Britton, a specialist in congenital heart diseases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the Federal Commission for Protection against Health Risks (Cofepris, in Spanish) approved its use in Mexico, the valve was successfully implanted in Jes\u00fas Francisco at Zambrano Hellion Hospital<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a significant milestone for TecSalud and a chance for patients suffering from these conditions to receive innovative treatments,\u201d Britton explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\r\n \r\n \"\"\r\n <\/picture>
The operation was performed at Zambrano Hellion Hospital in Nuevo Le\u00f3n. (Photo: TecSalud)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Four Defects of Tetralogy of Fallot<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Britton, Tetralogy of Fallot involves four heart defects that cause cardiac issues:<\/p>\n\n\n\n