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New VCU cardiac center specializes in young patients
9/10/2024 | 2m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
New cardiac center at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU specializes in treating young patients.
New cardiac center at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU specializing in treating young patients including preemies and toddlers. Doctors who specialize in pediatric care say the new unit fills a void in Central Virginia cardiac care.
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VPM News is a local public television program presented by VPM
VPM News
New VCU cardiac center specializes in young patients
9/10/2024 | 2m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
New cardiac center at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU specializing in treating young patients including preemies and toddlers. Doctors who specialize in pediatric care say the new unit fills a void in Central Virginia cardiac care.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipLEIGHTON CARNLEY: And to the Republic for which we stand.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: With her hand over her heart, Leighton Carnley recites the the Pledge of Allegiance.
LEIGHTON CARNLEY: For liberty and justice for all.
CANDACE CARNLEY: Oh, that was so good.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Much of the 7-year-old's life has been about her heart.
Her parents took her for a checkup when she was 2, CANDACE CARNLEY: And as soon as the doctor came into the room, he, looked-- took one, looked at her and said that she thought that she may have Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: It's a rare genetic disorder that affects a person's eyes, teeth, abdomen, and heart.
Doctors sent her to VCU for an EKG, CANDACE CARNELY: And basically told us that, you know, she had a small hole in her heart.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Leightons been coming here for testing since she was 3.
This summer, she was one of the first patients to be treated in the Children's Hospital of Richmond's Pediatric Catheterization and Electrophysiology lab.
SAMUEL CASELLA: And it enables us to do interventions for children with heart disease in a dedicated space for children.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: It's the first of its kind in the region.
Specially trained doctors are now able to use this equipment, made specifically for infants and children to treat abnormalities with the heart.
SAMUEL CASELLA: So you're dealing with small numbers, and that means that you need to be in a place that's experienced with seeing rare diseases.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: Dr. Casella said the new unit fills a need for central Virginians.
SALUEL CASELLA: A lot of them had to be cared for at other institutions, and some of those institutions are within the state and some of them are actually out of state.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: In July, the team here used a catheter to fix the hole in Leighton's heart.
LEIGHTON CARNLEY: I was kind of calm, but then after the five days, I was back to myself and crazy again.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: And about a month after surgery, Leighton stopped in for a quick checkup before heading to softball practice.
She says she's ready to get back to normal.
LEIGHTON CARNLEY: Because now like, I don't have to come here like that much anymore.
Like I'm happy.
ADRIENNE HOAR McGIBBON: For VPM News, I'm Adrienne Hoar McGibbon.
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