Tyson's Heart

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Tyson was diagnosed in utero with a Congenital Heart Defect called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA) in which the two major vessels/arteries that carry blood away from the heart -- the aorta and the pulmonary artery -- are switched (transposed). The condition changes the way blood circulates through the body, leaving a shortage of oxygen in blood flowing from the heart to the rest of the body. Without an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, the body can't function properly. Later throughout the pregnancy, he was diagnosed with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole between the lower chambers of the heart.


Originally surgery was to be done within the first week of life, in Tyson's situation from day one; he did not follow the rules. They performed an Artial Septostomy to create a small hole between the upper two chambers of the heart to allow more oxygenated blood to be pumped to the rest of the body. On September 11, 2009 Tyson had his first open heart surgery. Due to Pneumonitis (Inflammation of the lungs) surgery was modified and stopped. Pulmonary Artery Banding was performed to adequately allow proper blood flow to be pumped through the left ventricle. This was done to allow him to receive the Arterial Switch Procedure at a later time. After finally being able to somewhat breathe on his own, with the help of oxygen, Tyson was released on September 24th, 2010. He was sent home to allow him time to grow and become healthier for surgery. He was to be monitored weekly and was placed on oxygen and a heart monitor 24 hours a day.


On November 10, 2009 Tyson had his second open heart surgery to fully repair his heart. Dr. John Nigro performed the delayed Arterial Switch Procedure as well as closed the VSD and the ASD. After a quick, but rough recovery, he was sent home on November 17. Tyson was given a clean bill of health in July of 2010, but is currently being monitored for Pulmonary Stenosis, caused by the Pulmonary Artery Banding procedure. His heart is continuing to grow allowing the risk of Pulmonary Stenosis to decrease, which is allowing him to live a normal healthy life.

For all details of his journey, go to our home page and click on "Tyson's Heart" under "Highlights of our life".  We would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers!

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