Boy Celebrates Valentines Day Reunion Party With New Heart

Pablo Patino had a great reason to celebrate at the 2015 Annual Valentine’s Day Reunion Party hosted by the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital and the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Every year, patients and their families reunite to celebrate with the team of medical professionals that care for them throughout the year. Pablo met with his doctors, nurses, therapists, and even a therapy dog that he encountered throughout years of care at Mount Sinai. But, by far, the best thing he celebrated was the new heart he received only months earlier.

Pablo’s Clinic Experience at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai

Pablo was transferred to Mount Sinai in 2011 in cardiogenic shock and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy under the care of Shubhika Srivastava, MBBS. This diagnosis required urgent placement on ECMO, a special procedure using a heart-lung machine that took over Pablo’s heart, allowing for further treatment. He also received the Berlin Heart, a ventricular assist device (VAD), for more long-term assistance in his treatment. A combination of invasive and non-invasive treatments and consistent visits to Pediatric Cardiology and other hospital services contributed to his vast improvement.

But by early 2014, he was in trouble again and was subsequently listed for a heart transplant by Irene Lytrivi, MD. During Pablo’s long stay in both the PCICU and PICU at Mount Sinai, he was again placed on ECMO, followed by another assist device, the Heartware VAD.

Khan Nguyen, MD performed the long awaited heart transplant surgery on November 22, 2014. Pablo had spent nine months waiting, a majority of which he spent as an inpatient at Mount Sinai. After a few weeks of intensive therapy and monitoring, Pablo was discharged home to his family in December.

A Wealth of Support

Pablo, now age 9, his baby brother Daniel (born during Pablo’s stay at Mount Sinai), and the Patino Family are incredibly grateful to “God and the entire hospital team,” Mrs. Patino explains. They continue to receive warm, compassionate care at the Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai  and are thankful for the endless support that surrounds them by the dedicated physicians and staff of the pediatric units and hospital departments involved. They thank the Mount Sinai Division of Pediatric Cardiology, the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy, Social Work, Respiratory Therapy, Physical and Occupational Therapy, the staffs of both the PCICU and PICU, and all of the pediatric specialists who have helped them through their journey. The Division of Pediatric Cardiology at Kravis Children’s Hospital at Mount Sinai feels like home to Pablo and his family. Pablo continues to be seen by his doctors frequently, and he is really looking forward to going back to school and playing with his friends.