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Girl's Heart Regenerates With Artificial Assist

Posted by kdawson on from the all-heart dept.

Socguy writes with news about a 15-year-old girl who has become the first Canadian to have an artificial heart removed after her own heart healed itself. "Doctors at the Stollery Children's hospital implanted the Berlin Heart, a portable mechanical device that keeps blood pumping in an ailing heart, so she could survive until a transplant became available. But over the next few months, Melissa's overall condition improved dramatically, and her heart muscle regained much of its strength. After 146 days on the Berlin Heart, Melissa underwent surgery to have the device removed."

3 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. I want to know why she healed - what caused it by Nefarious+Wheel · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Did the invasive surgery trigger a healing response, or did she just need a boost until natural processes finished the job?

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    1. Re:I want to know why she healed - what caused it by mwvdlee · · Score: 3, Interesting

      All I wonder is; now that her own heart is doing all the work again, will it be able to cope or is it going to relapse and start failing again in time?

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  2. Re:I wish they had given my Rachel one... by Lemming+Mark · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's awful that you had to go through that experience. I can't even imagine how you must have felt, but you have my deepest sympathies. Please take no notice of the anonymous replies to your comment - they're really not even worth reading. Some idiots actually think they're being clever by displaying their ignorance.

    I'm no doctor, but I guess this technology would not be suitable for use in all cases, and that some patients still require more conventional treatment by other means - but hopefully that will keep advancing too. It's amazing to see progress like this being made in medicine and I too hope that it can help many more people.

    I extend my sincere condolences for your loss and my best wishes for you.

    Sincerely,
    Mark Williamson