Tetralogy of Fallot Repair, TOF

[Redmond111]

Congratulations on your great recovery. Dr Norwood has been a great leader in our field of congenital heart surgery, you were in good hands. I'm very happy to hear that you have a daughter, we have three, and I know that you need to have a strong heart to keep up with them. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[vivalavida0103]

Wow!!.. i had my surgey when i was 10 months.. im 25.. with a almost normal life... now i see this video and make my self proud of me.. i really went through this .. God is amazing!!.. Thnx to dr william norwood and CHOP.. Im still here.. watching my daughter grow up... <3

and working with a cardiology .. TOF!!! we are stronger than you:D

[brumett5]

My daughter was diagnosed at 5 months old with TOF , she was well enough to wait until she was 2 years old to have a complete repair. She is now 12 years old and is doing great! She does have a small amount of leakage around the valve but its expected, they are just watching it to see if it gets worse. As of right now they are saying that she is great! Dr. Burke thank you for posting this so we parents can see exactly what it is that our babies went through. God Bless you Dr.

[Redmond111]

@brumett5 I'm really happy that this video helped you. I wish you had a video of your daughter's surgery. If she needs any help, we're here for you. Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[brumett5]

My daughter was diagnosed at 5 months old with TOF , she was well enough to wait until she was 2 years old to have a complete repair. She is now 12 years old and is doing great! She does have a small amount of leakage around the valve but its expected, they are just watching it to see if it gets worse. As of right now they are saying that she is great! Dr. Burke thank you for posting this so we parents can see exactly what it is that our babies went through.

[Redmond111]

@brumett5 Just to let you know how much we have evolved: We routinely perform TOF repairs in newborn babies when they are blue, and at 4 months when they are stable. We never wait until babies are two years old to repair their hearts anymore. I'm really happy that your daughter has done so well. We're here if you need us. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[DC11961]

Hey Dr. Burke. :D You performed what I believe is this same surgery on me exactly 5 months ago today. :) thank you for helping me out! I'll see you Wednesday! :)

[Redmond111]

@DC11961 Congratulations, I'm very proud of you and your parents. I know you've all been through a lot, more than most people could imagine. Let me know if you need any help. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[Koubiak]

Doctor,

my 5-day old daughter was diagnosed with TOF and surgery will most likely take place in December-January. I was wondering if you could tell me how long on average the procedure is?

Thanks a lot!

[Redmond111]

@Koubiak I hope your daughter is doing well. We usually take two hours to complete a TOF repair. The total time in the OR is more like three hours. Our newborns take about two weeks to recover and go home. I hope this helps you. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[misr11]

Thank you so much for posting, My 5 months cousin will go through the procedure on Sep 9 and I wanted to understand the procedure. God bless you and your hands

[Redmond111]

@misr11 Please let me know how things are going. We're here if you need us. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[rachma88]

hi dr.Burke. i'm a general practitioner at a small hospital in indonesia, i got a 7 y.o patient with ToF, i think it's already in grade IV with clubbing fingers, with this kind of situation, and her mc goon ratio is 1.60, is she needs to go for a total correction or she can live without correction ? thx before. sorry for asking this by youtube.

[Redmond111]

@rachma88 These babies need a catheterization to measure the PVR. Some of the kids have a reactive pulmonary bed, and we repair them. Some have a fixed elevated PVR and we don't. I'll just hope for the best for this child. We're here if you need us. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[anna1188]

This was totally amazing!!!! This is exactly why i am going into the medical field-to see these kind of miracles performed everyday!!!

[Redmond111]

@anna1188 And you will. Medicine is a very gratifying field of endeavor, you can help someone every day. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[bigb1078]

I had this surgery done back in1980 when I was two. I am now 31 and have decided to watch this surgery for the first time.

[BabyBreezy22]

@bigb1078 wow you are really an inspiration to everyone who's baby needs this surgery. thank you.

[Redmond111]

@BabyBreezy22 Thanks, we just want to give people the information they need to make good decisions on who will care for them, and let them know what to expect after surgery. These kids can do very well. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[Redmond111]

@bigb1078

Congratulations on your recovery after a tough surgery. I hope this video helped you. I'm impressed with your strength. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[sactownism]

You're a very great heart surgeon. Have you ever experience any difficulties performing heart surgery during your career?

[Redmond111]

@sactownism Sure, the hardest part about being a pediatric heart surgeon is losing a baby, you always beat yourself up wondering if you could have done a better job and saved them. You have to keep a balance, know that you can always get better, but don't let yourself get paralyzed when you make a human mistake. Just keep fighting the good fight. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[amekassandrakeanu]

Hello Dr. Burke,

Just stopping by to let you all know Keanu has celebrated his 2nd b-day and we have you and your WONDERFUL teams skills along with GOD to thank for that..........thank you and see you next patient reunion,,,,,,,,

LOVE, The Oxley-Vega Family

[Redmond111]

@amekassandrakeanu Congratulations Keanu, what a great baby and family. I'm very proud of you all. Sincerely, Redmond Burke MD

[ramirez42]

Amazing how far science has come. I sure Amy that this has maid u and your family a stronger. Thank God for all the miracle in our life...

[Redmond111]

@ramirez42

We have come a long way in pediatric heart surgery.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[a4tune]

Dr. Burke,

Thank you for the video as our daughter had the surgery on 01.11.2009 and now we have a greater understanding of the process and what children who have had this procedure go through. We still have not made it through the clear but are trusting that GOD will bless her. GOD bless all who have gone through this procedure.

[Redmond111]

@a4tune

How are you and your daughter doing now?

I hope she is well.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[a4tune]

@Redmond111 She is doing quite well and is at home; still a little small. We're trying to bulk her up some and wane her off of the remaining drugs. we're so appreciative to Dr. Delius MD (Children's Hospital of Michigan0

[Redmond111]

@a4tune

Congratulations, that's great. The Michigan team is outstanding.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[whiteriver20]

Thank God for Dr Joseph Verska and Dr Joseph Mercano I had My surgery in 1970 and tomorrow is My 43rd Birthday and I am blessed

[Redmond111]

@whiteriver20

Thanks for the great note, and congratulations.

We're here if you need us, but it sounds like you're doing very well.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[amekassandrakeanu]

Happy B-day to you Dr. Burke, i am very thankful for this day (why) my sons cardiologist was born......(hope you are continued to be blessed with your god given talent and hard work )!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oxley-Vega family

TOF surgery 9.4.08

[Redmond111]

@amekassandrakeanu

Thank you very much.

Aloha,

Redmond Burke MD

[yrahcaz411]

while watching this, i felt as though i was learning more about myself because i also had an open heart surgery to correct my TOF when i was 5 months old.

i had my surgery in 94, and am 15 yrs. old now.

[amekassandrakeanu]

@yrahcaz411

HI, i am this precious boys mom......i too hope he can look at this years to come and realize how lucky and blessed he is to be alive and well........thank you Dr. Burke

[Redmond111]

@amekassandrakeanu

You're a great mom, and you have a strong baby.

God Bless,

Redmond Burke MD

[zamoiG]

hey, im also 15 and ive had this surgery :)

[Redmond111]

@zamoiG

Thanks for the note, you must be brave.

Glad to hear you are doing well.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[Redmond111]

@yrahcaz411

The best thing about these videos is hearing from people like you.

Thanks for your courage and your encouragement.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[tetoffallot]

That is amazing. My 2 year old is having her 3rd open heart this Friday to make her more comfortable (her heart is not repairable). She has CHARGE syndrome, TOF, and pulmanary hypertension. I was very nervouse this time, but watching this video has made me feel more at ease. Listening to the doctors tell you what they're doing and watching it are so different.

I'm glad the little boy is doing well.

[amekassandrakeanu]

thank you so very much and GOOD LUCK and god bless your daugter always....Keanu's mom

[737737]

i cant watch my baby go throught this! she is going to have surgery in a month!

[Redmond111]

@737737

I hope your baby is OK.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[brumett5]

@737737

its very hard to watch your baby go through this. When they took my baby from my arms my heart hurt, I was sick. I brought a journal with me that I wrote in, I wrote to her the whole time she was in there. I would tell her how I was feeling etc. I have the book and still to this day I cant read it , it is so full of emotion. But it kept my mind occupied. I will be praying for you and your baby girl. God Bless!

[caloundraflorist]

Incredible, I too had my fall correction in 73,shunt done when I was 3yrs old,PV in 93..no doubt will have another PV,as its on the cards..do have regular pain in chest from scarred tissue .Yet live as normal life as possible..Thanks to our brilliant Doctors..God Bless you all

[amekassandrakeanu]

Hi Dr. Burke, i jsut added a video of Keanu.........he turned 13 month on May 2, 2009, i am still very and allways will greatful to you for this surgery......

Love, The Oxley-Vega Family

[Redmond111]

Thanks for the beautiful follow-up video, Keanu looks fantastic. We're all very happy for you.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[wakkiJ]

The technology is far more advanced than it was when I had it done in 1973. The shunt was done on me at 3 years old which left me disfigured on the left. because the insertion was done far too high. The major corrective surgery wasn't done until I was 8 years old . I have been told from my consultant that I may need the Pulmonary Valve replaced in 10-15 years time (i'm 43) . I have irreguar heart rythms which leave me feeling unwell from time to time from scar tissue and the valve surgery.

[wakkiJ]

sorry that should have been 3 months old not 3 years.

I dont really think it is necesarry to put myself through more surgery when im in my late 50's, (im 43 now) so will probably not want it but faced with death otherwise the natural instinct to live will possibly take over my decision on that score. Not looking forward to that part of my life to come

[InfernoST2]

Wow that's amazing. I'm a dental student learning about Tetralogy of Fallot. Amazing to see an actual surgery. Thanks for posting it.

[Astonmartin4444]

I had that when I was born. They operated me when i had one year, and every year I go to check if its alright... but Well now I live in switzerland, i am 15 years old, and i also know english :)

[luinc]

are you fine right now?

kid...

[Astonmartin4444]

Yeah sure hehe ;) i don't have anything now, i'm normal ;)

[luinc]

oh thats good......

just smile always ok

[amir705]

u always have been, ur body just needed other human touch to complete ur development :)

be well

[JensQuartet]

Amazing. My 15 month-old daughter had this life-saving operation when she was 3 months old. She was having severe and frequent tet spells - boy, you wouldn't know it today. She's an amazing little girl! What a gift.

[luinc]

wat is tet spells ?

[Redmond111]

"Tet Spells" occur when patient with Tetralogy of Fallot cannot push enough blood through their obstructed right ventricles into their lungs. This reduces the amount of oxygen in their blood, and they turn blue in color (this is called "cyanosis", from the root word "cyan" or "blue") A "blue" spell lasts until the patient's heart relaxes, and blood can get through the right ventricle again.

Redmond Burke MD

[luinc]

thank you sir...

is this happens only on infants?

how about 5 years old?

[Redmond111]

Patients with Tetralogy of Fallot are usually diagnosed in infancy, and at our institution, Miami Children's Hospital, they are completely repaired in the first 4 months of life. Undiagnosed and unrepaired children may continue to have spells into adolescence and should definitely be treated as soon as possible.

[amekassandrakeanu]

HI Dr. Burke, this is Keanu's mom - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, thank you, i can never thank you enough for giving our son a 2nd chance at life.......he is doing GREAT!!! How do i get a copy of this video?

sincerely and forever GREATFUL,

Keanu's Mom (Amarilis)

[Redmond111]

@amekassandrakeanu

Thanks for the note, I'll try to get you a copy of the video.

Sincerely,

Redmond Burke MD

[amekassandrakeanu]

I cannot thank you enough for being the best at what you do.......i have my son....thank you for this video of him, one thing is to have pictures another thing is to have the video......how do i get a copy of the video?

Sincerely, Keanu's mom

[drrameshrau]

Excellent video presentation. An second video could be added with more emphasis on perfusion aspects.