Open Heart Surgery

In 2015, Amina tadoumant was a happy and healthy newborn, a bundle of joy to her parents

When my little sister amina was five years old, we visited a pediatrician who discovered that amina had a heart murmur, a condition not uncommon in small children. Still, to be sure that it wasn't something more serious, the pediatrician recommended that amina see a pediatric cardiologist for a more detailed evaluation. She received an electrocardiogram (often called an EKG or ECG). An EKG is a non-invasive and painless test that measures the heart's electrical activity and records any disturbances in heart rhythm. The EKG suggested that Anna Grace might have an atrial septal defect (ASD), a type of congenital heart disease where a hole exists in the wall that separates the heart’s two upper chambers (the atria). This was confirmed by an echocardiogram, which revealed a large secundum atrial septal defect with enlargement of the right side of her heart.

Many people with an ASD will not show severe signs or symptoms, but some may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. The family soon met with Dr.Khalid ANIBA, pediatric cardiologist at ibn Tofail Heart Center Cardiology of marrakech, to discuss the options and possible risks associated with fixing amina's ASD. There were two treatment choices - either Amina would need open-heart surgery or a less invasive, catheter-based procedure. ASDs are not typically life-threatening at a young age, so the thought of Amina undergoing open-heart surgery was daunting for Khalid ANIBA

Of the thousands of babies born each year with a cardiovascular defect, 4 to 10 percent have septal defects (“holes in the heart”). In many people, the signs and symptoms may not occur until adulthood.

I am asking for donations from anyone who would like to give $5.00 or more. If this is something you cannot do, I understand, but ask you to keep her in your prayers.

Thank you kindly from the bottom of our hearts.