Charlotte Woodyard

“Charlotte was born with multiple congenital heart anomalies including several large ventricular septal defects (VSD), atrial septal defects (ASD), a double outlet right ventricle, bilateral superior vena cava, and total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) draining into her coronary sinus. At six weeks old, Charlotte had a pulmonary artery band placed during her first open heart surgery to restrict blood flow to her lungs. Over the following 14 months, our family worked tirelessly to help Charlotte grow and add weight to improve her outcomes from the impending next open-heart surgery. Charlotte quadrupled her body weight and grew so well, her cardiologist, Dr. Parikh at Peyton Manning Children's, determined that she would be a candidate for a four-chamber hear repair instead of a single ventricle repair. This would not only eliminate the need for a third open heart surgery but would also provide her with a fully functioning heart (although with a unique anatomical structure). Dr. Parikh contacted Riley Children's Hospital's Dr. Mark Rodefeld who specialized in these high-risk surgeries. In May 2022, Charlotte became a Riley kiddo when Dr. Rodefeld lowered her body temperature to 82 degrees, stopped her heart, opened her chest, and made a full repair to her heart. He successfully closed the VSDs and ASDs, rerouted the blood flow, and removed the pulmonary artery band. She recovered under the loving care of the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit and was discharged after only 7 days, a week sooner than expected! Charlotte made a full recovery and is a vibrant 2-year-old. Her oxygen saturation runs in the high 90's (normal) up from a baseline in the mid 70's prior to her surgery. Charlotte also has several other minor congenital conditions on the left side of her body, include ptosis in her eye that has undergone one corrective surgery at Riley, but will need additional work. However, the only sign of her heart battle is the warrior scar she carries on her chest. Dr. Rodefeld and the team at Riley not only saved her life but opened the door for her to enjoy a full life with no restrictions. She is happy, empathetic, kind, loving, witty, and super smart!”

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