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US - UK Entertainment 21/05/2025 16:09

10-year-old heart tr@nspl@nt patient saves two toddlers with rare split-r00t domino sur9ery

10-Year-Old Heart Transplant Patient Saves Two Toddlers with Rare Split-Root Domino Surgery

Group photo of the Catoliato and Carter families, including Thomas Catoliato with John, Joanne Dowling, Thomas 'Teddy' Carter with Katie Carter, and John Carter at a reunion.
In a remarkable series of surgeries at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, one heart transplant saved the lives of three children. On July 25, 2024, 10-year-old Hend Almesafri received a full heart transplant from a deceased donor. Her old heart's pulmonary and aortic valves were then transplanted into 2-year-old John Catoliato and 3-year-old Teddy Carter, respectively, in a rare split-root domino partial heart transplant—the first of its kind in the Northeast.

John was born with Truncus Arteriosus, a condition where a single artery arises from the heart instead of two, requiring multiple surgeries since infancy. Teddy had Aortic Stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve, leading to restricted blood flow and necessitating several procedures. Both children faced ongoing surgeries until Hend's donation provided a lasting solution.

The surgeries were performed by Dr. David Kalfa and Dr. Andrew Goldstone, who led a multidisciplinary team to execute the complex procedures. The use of Hend's living valves, which have the potential to grow with the children, offers a significant advantage over traditional valve replacements.
Months later, the three children reunited at the hospital. Hend surprised John and Teddy with gifts, symbolizing their unique bond. John's mother, Joanne Dowling, expressed profound gratitude, stating, "What can you give to someone who gave your child the gift of life?"

This innovative approach to heart transplantation not only saved three young lives but also opened new possibilities for treating pediatric heart conditions.

A boy named Teddy, diagnosed with aortic stenosis, lying on a hospital bed covered with a white towel

“We call them heart brothers,” Dowling said. “John has one side and Teddy has the other.”

Character Biographies and Context
  • Hend Almesafri: A 10-year-old girl from New York who received a heart transplant and, through a pioneering procedure, donated her heart valves to two other children, saving their lives.
  • John Catoliato: A 2-year-old boy born with Truncus Arteriosus, a rare congenital heart defect, who received a pulmonary valve transplant from Hend's old heart.
  • Teddy Carter: A 3-year-old boy diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis, who received an aortic valve transplant from Hend's old heart.
  • Dr. David Kalfa: Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, who led the surgical team performing the split-root domino heart transplants.
  • Dr. Andrew Goldstone: Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, who collaborated with Dr. Kalfa in the innovative surgeries.

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