Cardiff infant survives after life-saving heart device, awaits transplant
A baby from Cardiff, previously thought to have only days left, is thriving after receiving a Berlin Heart ventricular assist device, but doctors say a donor heart may still be many months away.
Macs Green, a baby from Cardiff, experienced two cardiac arrests and was found to have dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that can lead to heart failure. Initially placed on an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine at Bristol Royal Children's Hospital, he was later moved to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle for further treatment. There, surgeons fitted him with a Berlin Heart, an external ventricular assist device that takes over the heart's pumping action.
His parents, Catrin and Dylan, said the operation transformed him from a sedated infant to a smiling, responsive child. Despite the improvement, the NHS Blood and Transplant team cautioned that a donor heart may not be available for up to 18 months or longer. The family is now advocating for organ donation and thanked the hospital staff for their care.
Why it matters
The case highlights life-saving technology for children with severe heart disease and the ongoing need for organ donors.
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