Dec 28, 2007 10:42 am US/Central
3-Month-Old Baby Recovering After Heart Transplant
Fintan Schiltz Was Born With Congenital Heart Defect
CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ―
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Fintan Schiltz, 3 months, has undergone a heart transplant for a congenital defect.
Aurora Beacon-News
Baby Fintan Schiltz remained in critical condition on a heart-lung machine Thursday, a day after receiving a heart transplant at Children's Memorial Hospital.
The 3-month-old was born with a congenital heart defect that surgery couldn't fix. After 11 weeks on a donor list, his family learned minutes before midnight on Christmas a heart had been found.
Doctors at Children's operated on Fintan for nearly eight hours Wednesday, transitioning him from one heart to the next. His search for a new heart and successful surgery was chronicled by the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday and Thursday.
After the operation, he still needs assistance from a heart-lung machine, used in about 20 percent of cases where an infant receives a heart transplant, said Julie Pesch, hospital spokeswoman.
"The function of the heart looks good," Pesch said. Fintan should be off the machine in three or four days, she said. He likely will remain in the hospital a month or longer.
Mark Schiltz, Fintan's father, thanked those who have been praying for Fintan and urged the prayers to continue, Pesch said. His parents were with him Thursday, though they won't be able to hold him for a few days.
Fintan is the youngest of five children. His entire family, of St. Charles, visited him on Christmas, hours before learning he would receive a new heart.
His sisters and brother, who range in age from 2 to 8 years old, won't be able to visit Fintan until his risk of infection decreases.
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(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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