The FDA recently approved a heart stent specifically designed for infants and young children with congenital heart defects, potentially avoiding multiple open heart surgeries throughout their childhood. Currently, adult-sized stents are modified and squeezed into the tiny heart vessels of infants, leading to the need for replacement as the child grows older. The Minima stent from Renata is designed to grow with the child and can be adjusted through a minimally invasive procedure, reducing hospital stays and long-term trauma. Dr. Zahn, a pediatric cardiologist, describes the current practice of using adult stents as less than ideal and highlights the burden of multiple open heart surgeries on young patients. Dr. Shahanavaz, a pediatric cardiologist, praises the innovation of a stent specifically manufactured for babies, stating it is mind-boggling that such a device was not available before. The Minima stent aims to improve outcomes for children with congenital heart defects by reducing the need for multiple surgeries and providing a more tailored and less invasive treatment option.
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Infants now have access to new heart stents that could help them avoid multiple surgeries
