Miracle baby heart patient to be released from LA hospital
Published: May 26, 2006
A twin boy once in desperate need of a heart transplant has improved so much without receiving a new organ that doctors say they plan to release him from the hospital Thursday.
Doctors treating Nate Draper at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center said they have never seen such a dramatic improvement in a heart patient and can’t explain it.
“What we are seeing is close to a miracle,” said Dr. Mark Plunkett, the UCLA surgeon who has monitored Nate’s care since shortly after his birth 10 months ago. “Whatever problem created the heart failure in the first place, he has found a way to resolve.”
Nate and his brother, Nick, were diagnosed with a fatal heart condition soon after they were born in Phoenix, where their family lives. The condition, known as dilated cardiomyopathy, caused their hearts to swell and barely pump.
Near death, they were flown to the UCLA Medical Center, which has a renowned heart care and transplant program.
Nick had a heart transplant in February. Nate, meanwhile, was gravely ill and doctors just two months ago were considering putting him on a heart bypass machine.
“I was really worried. It was day-to-day, hour-to-hour,” Plunkett said.
Doctors said they want to study Nate’s heart for clues that may help other patients.
While thrilled with his progress, they caution the gray-eyed baby could suffer a relapse. They also worry he may be blind because a brain wave test this week showed he wasn’t responding to visual stimulus.
Still, they say he could regain his vision once he’s home and stimulated by more varied sights.
“At this point, it’s too early to be conclusive,” about Nate’s vision, said Dr. Juan Alejos, the pediatric cardiologist overseeing his care.
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