Texas Mom and Daughter Receive Lifesaving Heart Care

Anderson Allen was born with a congenital heart defect just like her mom, Micaela. In a full circle moment, Micaela’s childhood cardiologist, Karen Wright, M.D., of Pediatrix® Pediatric and Congenital Cardiology Associates of Texas in Austin, entered the delivery room as the on-call cardiologist, and the two were reunited for the first time in 20 years. With critical aortic valve stenosis, Anderson’s heart was unable to generate sufficient blood flow across the aortic valve to support her body. “Micaela has a very mild manifestation of it and Anderson has a very severe manifestation of it,” explained Dr. Wright. A day after she was born, Anderson had a procedure done to enlarge the valve opening, followed by a monthlong hospital stay. “I lovingly, and I mean lovingly, consider Anderson my cardiology grandbaby,” said Dr. Wright. Now seven months old, Anderson is thriving.

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