A 13-year-old man from Upper Austria has a heart that no longer functions. But a suitable donor organ for him could not be found until now. But the “Krone” readers can help the brave young man.
It is almost unbelievable what 13-year-old Christian from the Schärding district has had to endure in his young life – and what challenges he apparently still has to face. “He would have deserved a bravery medal,” Mama Jutta (52) rightly emphasizes.
Difficult start in life
Her son was born with a complex heart defect (hypoplastic left heart syndrome). In order to survive at all, he had to undergo three marathon operations (between eight and twelve hours). Then, at the age of ten, the next shock: an aneurysm (abnormal vasodilation) was discovered in Christian – again a dangerous operation was necessary. But this time serious complications arose. Christian suffered from heart failure and his heart muscle has been permanently damaged ever since.
Blood poisoning and kidney failure
Due to blood poisoning, the boy’s kidneys failed and he had to undergo dialysis. His ailing heart was further weakened by a germ – and once again the boy was in acute mortal danger. In September 2021, the treating doctors at the KUK Linz knew for sure: a transplant is inevitable. “However, his physical condition was so precarious that he would not have survived the operation,” says Jutta.
artificial heart helped
The son was transferred to MedUni Vienna, where he was connected to an artificial heart (Berlin Heart) on October 22, 2021 during an eleven-hour operation. “Tubes connected to the device hang from his body,” says the mother.
To wait long
Thanks to this artificial heart, which weighs 15 kilograms, Christian’s body has now recovered enough to allow a transplant. However: So far it has not been possible to find a suitable organ. “The criteria for this are extremely strict. The doctors want to make sure that the new heart suits him,” says Jutta, who has been staying with her son in the hospitals in Linz and Vienna with her husband Christian for more than 17 months.
Parents remain positive
For 14 months everyone has been hoping for a transplant. “No child has ever had to wait this long. Hour after hour and day after day we try to re-motivate Christian to persevere. One of us is always with him, even at night.” Because the 13-year-old with his artificial heart is not allowed to leave the hospital in Vienna, the family’s waiting time becomes torture. “It’s very demanding, our son is often completely devastated and cries a lot.”
new problems
Meanwhile, the problems kept piling up. For example, a ventricle had to be replaced, a thrombus (blood clot) was discovered and the aortic valve is slightly leaky. “There’s also a constant risk of a germ getting through the cannulas or an infection infecting it.”
financial challenge
But the family tries to ignore it, thinking only from day to day and drawing strength from positive experiences: “Christian gets along well with the doctors and nurses, he knows everyone’s birthday. Everyone likes him because he is always kind and grateful.” Because he has been in hospital for a year and a half (Linz and Vienna), his parents can no longer work. The family’s financial circumstances are extremely strained. Please help!
donation account
If you want to help Christian and his family, please donate to the Password “heart child” to our “Krone” special account at Hypo Oberösterreich:
IBAN: AT76 5400 0000 0040 0002;
BIC: OBLATE2L
The donations received are optionally also published by name in our printed edition. However, if you wish to remain anonymous, please indicate this separately in the “purpose of use” field. The donations are tax deductible.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
