1-Year-Old Girl Treated for VSD Without Surgery at Chiayi VGH Branch

(Central News Agency reporter Huang Guo-fang, Chiayi City, 24th) A 1-year and 4-month-old baby girl in Chiayi City was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Due to her growth retardation, Dr. Fu Yun-ching, the President of Taichung Veterans General Hospital, traveled to the Chiayi branch to perform a minimally invasive, non-surgical procedure. Yesterday, he successfully treated her by placing an occluder via cardiac catheterization, and she was able to be discharged after the surgery. The Chiayi branch issued a press release today stating that the girl's parents brought her to Dr. Fu's clinic at the Chiayi branch in March. Evaluation found a 4mm hole from the VSD, and her weight was only 8.4kg, below the standard weight of 11kg for infants of the same age. It was decided to treat her by placing an occluder via cardiac catheterization. Dr. Fu said that common symptoms for infants with VSD include susceptibility to colds and growth retardation; older children might experience poorer stamina and exercise performance, and severe cases could lead to heart failure. Dr. Fu stated that traditional treatment for VSD is open-heart surgery, which is a major surgery with high risks. With medical advancement, it can now be treated through a minimally invasive, non-surgical method, placing a nickel-titanium alloy occluder using cardiac catheterization. This method results in a wound only the size of a needle hole, with short surgery time, low pain, low risk, and no scars. Dr. Fu said that generally, patients can get out of bed after about 6 hours of rest post-surgery, and most children can be discharged the same or the next day. This time, the girl underwent surgery on the same day and was successfully discharged after her condition stabilized. The Chiayi branch stated that the Taichung VGH team has expanded its support to the Chiayi branch since March, with Dr. Fu visiting the Chiayi branch for consultations and surgeries. The successful completion of this infant case demonstrates the concrete results of extending medical center technology and quality to local areas.