Father Resuscitates 4½-year-old son

A few weeks ago, the child collapsed at home and stopped breathing. His father was summoned and, having undergone basic resuscitation training at his workplace, continued prolonged resuscitation efforts until the arrival of the ambulance. The child was rushed initially to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba.

Doctors stabilized his condition so he could undergo cardiac imaging. The team decided to consult Dr. Einat Birk, Director of the Institute of Cardiology at Schneider Children’s, who suspected an especially rare fibrotic growth located in the child’s heart muscle called myocardial fibrosis.

The child was transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Schneider headed by Dr. Elhanan Nahum. After further imaging studies, the diagnosis was confirmed. Subsequent surgery was conducted by Dr. George Frenkel, Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, together with senior cardiologist and head of Neonatal Cardiac Surgery Dr. Gabi Amir. He was discharged following his recovery.

Dr. Birk noted that “this wonderful child’s life was saved first and foremost by his father’s successful resuscitation efforts. I am pleased that we were able to diagnose and remove the growth so that the boy can now lead a normal life. This is without doubt one of the most exciting cases I have treated.”