Franchesca is a 7 month old baby from Haiti. She has Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect known as an atrioventricular septal defect. This is a large hole in the center of the heart that in Franchesca was complicated by underdevelopment of the right sided pumping chamber. This lesion could not be repaired as was the initial plan. Instead Franchesca underwent a pulmonary artery band by Dr. Eric Ceithaml to help control heart failure. She will return to Jacksonville approximately 9-12 months from her operation for re-evaluation for further surgical treatment. |
