The FDA just approved the first heart valve designed to grow with kids who are born with congenital heart disease. It’s among the most common types of birth defects; 1 in 100 babies are affected.
Even before this approval, patients are living longer and embarking on journeys once thought impossible.
Mom Vienna Pecora is one of those people.
When she got pregnant with her son, Matthew, “everything was healthy and perfect and great, but on the other side it was waiting for the shoe to drop,” Vienna said.
With each doctor’s appointment during pregnancy, Vienna had a bit more to worry about because she was born with a complex type of congenital heart disease.
Her left ventricle is smaller than in a normal heart and her right ventricle is bigger. Vienna had a procedure when she was a baby to fix her heart, but she’s been seeing doctors at UPMC Children’s ever since. Even into adulthood.
“Fifty years ago, there was a new procedure that was developed. The surgeries have helped our congenital heart disease patients survive into adulthood. But we have also learned that there are certain medications that can benefit them over time, “ said Dr. Anita Saraf, UPMC Children’s Adult congenital cardiologist.
“I hope that they know the work that they’re doing is saving lives and creating a sense of security within families, where things are gonna be okay,” said Vienna.
Especially women who want to start families of their own.
“One of the things that Vienna brought up was that she had preeclampsia when she got pregnant and that’s when you have higher blood pressures and other systemic issues that make it more dangerous for the woman to continue being pregnant,” said Dr. Saraf.
Thankfully for Vienna and other women who have grown up with their congenital heart disease, being closely monitored by several kinds of doctors during pregnancy is making for many favorable outcomes and very happy families.
“He (Matthew) was born on Valentine’s Day, which is so fitting,” said Vienna. “So, he is my soul child. He was meant to be on this earth. And I will make sure he does something for our community.”
The Adult Congenital Heart Association is hosting the first Pittsburgh Lace Up for 1 in 100-5K Fun Run or Walk on Saturday morning, October 17, at North Park.
For more information about the walk and resources for congenital heart disease: https://www.achaheart.org/
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
