Israeli Doctors Save Premature Baby With Innovative Heart Catheterization Technique

A premature infant born with a complex heart defect was saved at Sheba Medical Center last week through a pioneering manual engineering procedure during cardiac catheterization. The baby, weighing just 1.78 kilograms, suffered from severe pulmonary congestion caused by excessive blood flow to the lungs, leading to rapid deterioration and full respiratory support. Due to the infant's fragile condition, doctors deemed open-heart surgery too risky.

Instead, a multidisciplinary team opted for a minimally invasive catheterization approach. Dr. Sharon Borik Higer, head of pediatric cardiac catheterization at Sheba, manually modified a standard vascular occlusion device by creating a tiny hole before insertion. This adjustment allowed controlled reduction of blood flow to the lungs without complete blockage, stabilizing the baby's condition and avoiding the trauma of open surgery.

The procedure's results were immediate: within a week, the infant was weaned off respiratory and cardiac support, began gaining weight, and showed normal development. The baby was discharged for close cardiac follow-up at home, with plans for definitive surgical repair later.

The infant's father described the ordeal as "the most cruel and frightening 48 hours" of their lives, emphasizing the lifesaving impact of the innovative catheterization and medical team's quick thinking. Dr. Tal Tirosh Wagner, deputy director of the Safra Children's Heart Institute, highlighted that home monitoring ensures safe medical supervision and emotional support for families, accelerating recovery and reducing hospitalization risks.

This case marks the first use in Israel of such a manual engineering technique in cardiac catheterization for a premature infant, showcasing advanced medical innovation at Sheba Medical Center.