|
|||
 |
 |
Meet Kase Kersey Paragould, Arkansas
Determined to diagnose Kase, doctors did an x-ray, which showed that Kase’s heart was enlarged. After consulting with a pediatric cardiologist at Arkansas Children's Hospital, it was determined that Kase needed to get to ACH immediately. One of ACH’s Angel One helicopters was sent to pick him up. “I was in such a state of shock when Kase boarded Angel One,” says his mother, Amy. “I just couldn’t believe this was happening to us. I really did not realize how bad it was until we arrived at Children’s.” The heart team at ACH determined that a virus had attacked Kase’s heart, which led to myocarditis, an inflammation of the muscular part of his heart. Kase was placed on ECMO, a heart-lung bypass machine. His body tried to reject ECMO twice during the 14 days he was on the machine. Kase’s heart was failing, and he needed a heart transplant as soon as possible. “The hardest part for us was the unpredictability of it all,” says Amy. “We had no idea what the outcome would be, but we knew we had to be strong for our baby boy.” Within three days of being added to the heart transplant list, Kase received his new heart on July 3, 2008. “When Kase got the new heart, we were overjoyed,” says Amy. “Our little boy was going to be well again, and we were so excited!” Kase recovered quickly from his heart transplant, and during the next few weeks, he steadily improved. He was sent home three weeks after his surgery. Due to the transplant, Kase will take anti-rejection medications for the rest of his life. He visits ACH once a month for a check-up but, otherwise, leads a completely healthy life. Kase loves to play with bubbles, balloons and Elmo, and his favorite movie is “ET,” which he watches at least once a day. “We are so thankful that Arkansas Children's Hospital was so close to us, otherwise Kase might not have survived,” says Amy. “We felt so supported during our time there – by doctors, nurses and everyone we encountered. Arkansans are lucky to have such a fantastic children’s hospital.” 
Arkansas Children's Hospital, 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, (501) 364-1100 or TDD (501) 364-1184
Web Site Feedback Survey | ACH is a tobacco free campus.
Joint Notice of Privacy Practices |
Terms & Conditions of Use | Report Concerns About Patient Care & Safety |
Site Index |
In June 2008, Kase Kersey developed what his parents thought was a regular virus. His pediatrician thought he was having bowel issues, and he was admitted to the local hospital. 