To save his life, doctors at Phoenix Children’s Hospital decided to implant the 50cc TAH as a bridge to transplant, which enabled Gabriel to survive his heart failure and regain his strength while he waited for a matching donor heart.
On July 4, Gabriel and his family got the big news they’d been waiting for: a matching donor heart had become available. In a matter of hours, Gabriel was prepped for surgery and his TAH was replaced with his new donor heart. According to his doctors, the TAH didn’t just save Gabriel’s life — it allowed them to wait for an ideal match, which can make all the difference.
“It’s really an amazing match for Gabriel, which we’re excited for. I think he’s responded very nicely to it so far and he’s recovered just as we’d like him to,” explained Dr. Michelle Ploutz, Gabriel’s cardiologist.
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