At just 24 hours old, William became the youngest patient in the world to receive a Berlin Heart implant, a life-saving mechanical heart pump designed to support children with severe heart failure. His journey—marked by uncertainty, resilience, and groundbreaking medical care—began at Dell Children’s Medical Center.
A Diagnosis Before Birth
William’s story began long before he took his first breath. During a routine ultrasound, doctors detected concerning signs of heart dysfunction. Diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart’s ability to pump blood is decreased, William’s survival was uncertain even before he was born. His parents, Therese and Jeff, were faced with an agonizing reality—there was a high likelihood he might not survive pregnancy or birth.
“From the beginning, it was a test of faith,” Therese recalls. “We knew the statistics weren’t great, but we also felt confident in our medical team and held on to hope.”
The Race Against Time
Therese gave birth at Dell Children’s Special Delivery Unit, a decision that may have saved William’s life. Designed for high-risk deliveries, the unit ensured the newborn had immediate access to the critical care team who were ready to intervene the moment he arrived.
Initially, William appeared stable, but within hours, his condition quickly deteriorated. The Dell Children’s medical team, led by Dr. Charles Fraser mobilized, preparing for the possibility of placing William on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)—a short-term life support system. However, ECMO posed significant risks and was only a temporary solution. The team instead proposed an alternative: the Berlin Heart.
“We knew ECMO wouldn’t give him enough time,” Dr. Fraser explained. “With the Berlin Heart, we could keep him stable long enough to wait for a transplant.”
Breaking New Ground with the Berlin Heart
Developed in Germany over 40 years ago, the Berlin Heart is a paracorporeal, pneumatic heart pump, meaning it sits outside the body and is driven by air pressure. It supports a failing heart by taking over the workload, allowing patients to grow stronger while awaiting a transplant.
William’s size and age presented a unique challenge despite its proven effectiveness in larger, older children. Measuring just over three kilograms at birth, the team had to carefully consider whether the smallest available 10cc pump could be successfully implanted.
“We weren’t sure if it would fit,” said Dr. Fraser. “But we measured and remeasured, and given his size, we felt confident we could do it.”
At just one day old, William underwent the complex procedure to implant the Berlin Heart. His parents, overwhelmed with concern yet hopeful, watched as the device took over their son’s fragile heart.
The Road to Transplant
The Berlin Heart provided William with the critical support he needed to stabilize, grow stronger, and prepare for the ultimate solution—a heart transplant. His family’s long journey of waiting, filled with emotional highs and lows, was punctuated by unwavering support from the Dell Children’s team.
“There were many setbacks,” Jeff recalls. “We thought we were going to hold him, and then another challenge would arise. It was like two steps forward, three steps back.”
The wait, however, was shorter than expected. Just 20 days after being placed on the transplant list, the Hall family received the call they had been praying for—a donor heart had been found.
A New Heart, A New Beginning
On the day of the transplant, emotions ran high. The surgery, lasting over 15 hours, required extreme precision and dedication from the entire surgical team.
“As soon as he received the new heart, he was a different baby,” Dr. Fraser said. “His color was better, his vitals stabilized almost immediately. It’s incredible to witness that transformation.” Post-transplant, William’s recovery exceeded expectations. His parents, once bracing for the worst, found themselves planning for the future with cautious optimism.
Life After Transplant
Today, William is thriving at home with his big sister, Dani, who prayed for him every night and eagerly awaited his arrival. His recovery journey is far from over, with ongoing medical management, regular follow-ups, and lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection.
While the journey hasn’t been easy, the family remains grateful for the exceptional care at Dell Children’s.
“The doctors and nurses at Dell [Children’s] cared for William like he was their own,” Therese shares. “We never felt alone in this journey. Their advocacy, expertise, and compassion made all the difference.”
A Message of Hope
For families facing a similar diagnosis, Jeff offers this advice: “This is the hardest thing you’ll ever go through. But life is precious, and there’s hope even in the darkest moments. Trust your medical team, lean on your faith, and take things one step at a time.”