Wrightsville Girl Undergoes Bridge-to-Transplant Surgery and Receives New Heart
 
ATLANTA - Eight-year-old Brerra Rucker began suffering from severe vomiting in June 2008. For an agonizing six weeks, physicians were unable to determine the cause of her illness. In the beginning of August, Brerra was transferred to Children’s Sibley Heart Center, located three hours away from her home in Wrightsville, GA.
 
At Children’s, Brerra was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the cavity of the heart is enlarged and stretched, causing it to become weak and not pump normally. Her heart was failing and she was quickly added to the list of children in need of a heart transplant.
 
Because Brerra’s heart failure was not responding to medical therapy—and it could be months before she received a donor heart—physicians at Children’s decided they must implant a bridge-to-transplant device to keep her alive. Surgeons implanted the Micromed DeBakey ventricular assist device, a bridge to heart transplant tool which worked in place of Brerra’s heart until a donor organ became available.  Just five days later, Brerra received a new heart. She continues to visit Children’s for check-ups and is well on her way to recovery.
 
“The technology behind the DeBakey ventricular assist device is incredible—it offers an additional support strategy for children waiting on the transplant list with whom traditional medical therapies have failed,” said Brian Kogon, M.D., Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. “Brerra's success was the result of the combined efforts of the surgical team, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, perfusionists and cardiac critical care team as a whole. The hard work and diligence of everyone involved allowed her to survive until an acceptable donor heart became available.”
 
Brerra and her mother, as well as the cardiac team at Children’s responsible for her care, are available for interview.

Children’s SibleyHeartCenter
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting one in 100 newborns each year. Treating more than 30,000 children every year, the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Sibley Heart Center has garnered widespread national recognition for our innovative treatments, leading-edge research and compassionate care. Ranked one of the country’s top five pediatric cardiac programs by Parents magazine, the Children’s SibleyHeartCenter provides comprehensive cardiac services for congenital and acquired heart disease from infancy through young adulthood, as well as prenatal diagnostics. Visit www.choa.org/heart or call 404-256-2593 or 800-542-2233 for more information.
 
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a not-for-profit organization, is committed to enhancing the lives of children through excellence in patient care, research and education. Managing more than half a million patient visits annually at three hospitals and 16 neighborhood locations, Children’s is one of the largest clinical care providers for children in the country. Children’s offers access to more than 30 pediatric specialties and is ranked among the top children’s hospitals by Parents magazine and U.S.News & World Report. With generous philanthropic and volunteer support, Children’s has made an impact in the lives of children in Georgia, the United States and throughout the world. Visit www.choa.org for more information.