Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Patient Stories
  • Newborn with Heart Condition Thrives after Treatment
Content

PATIENT STORIES Newborn with Heart Condition Thrives after Treatment

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Medical Foundation

Born with a heart defect, Heather Fiore knew there was a chance that the baby she was carrying was at a higher risk for also having a congenital heart condition. When she was 23 weeks pregnant, she had a level 2 ultrasound with one of Sutter's perinatologists. It was then that the doctor suggested they have Stanley Wright, M.D., a pediatric cardiologist, review the imaging. Dr. Wright let Fiore know that her fetus showed characteristics that indicated a heart condition, but that they would have to follow-up a few weeks later when they could see more to provide a diagnosis.

Fiore went in for another ultrasound four weeks later, and Dr. Wright diagnosed her baby with truncus arteriosus and an aortic arch defect. If left untreated, the conditions could threaten the baby's health. Dr. Wright suggested that Fiore deliver her baby boy at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, so he could have his heart surgery as soon as possible. At the time, Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento's Pediatric Heart Surgery Program wasn't able to perform open-heart surgeries on newborns.

Fiore delivered Ethan at Stanford, and at only 3 days old, he underwent his first heart surgery. The procedure was successful, and a valve was implanted into his heart. To keep up with his growing body, Ethan had two additional surgeries to replace his valve at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. The last one was done when Ethan was 8 years old. Pediatric heart surgeon Teimour Nasirov, M.D. was able to implant an adult-sized valve, so he won't need a replacement for at least another decade. Because of the impact pregnancy had on Fiore's body, she also underwent heart surgery at Sutter.

"We're so lucky to have our team at Sutter to care for our family," Fiore says. "Both Dr. Wright and Dr. Nasirov make us feel like we're their only patients and give us all the time we need to have our questions answered and make us feel comfortable."

Looking at Ethan today, you wouldn't know that he has endured three open-heart procedures. The energetic 9 year old enjoys skateboarding, biking and snowboarding.

Watch Ethan's story

Related Stories

Patient Hits the Links Pain Free

After living with painful varicose veins for decades, Mark is now golfing all 18 holes thanks to a minimally invasive procedure.

Hitting the Links Pain Free

Since having varicose vein treatment, Mark no longer has to limit his time on the golf course.

Abby: “One of the Few Two-Year-Olds That Knows the Value of Life.

Abby was known as 'angry baby' until her parents saw something wasn't right. Thanks to Sutter's pediatric specialists, Abby is happy and thriving.

Transplant Patient Gets New Heart and Outlook on Life

After suffering a massive heart attack, Earl Lovell received a life-saving heart transplant at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.

Caring for Generations of Babies

Twins Jeni and Beth have nine kids between them—all delivered by Dr. Horowitz, now a friend for life.

See all Patient Stories

Disclaimer

Each individual’s treatment and/or results may vary based upon circumstances and the healthcare provider’s medical judgment. Testimonials or statements made by any person(s) within this site are not intended to guarantee outcomes or substitute for medical advice.

The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences