Baby Fatemeh doing well following life-saving heart surgery at OHSU Doernbecher

Physicians say infant’s heart function looks “beautiful”; family thankful for outpouring of support

By Tracy Brawley March 01, 2017 Portland, Ore.

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Fatemeh Reshad, an infant from Iran with a life-threatening heart condition, will be treated at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Representatives from OHSU Doernbecher have been working with the Reshad family, the immigration attorneys working on their behalf, and with elected officials to facilitate the child’s care. (Family photo)

Fatemeh update

"I want to say thank you to everyone," says Sam Taghizadeh, uncle of 4-month-old Fatemeh Reshad who recently underwent heart surgery at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Taghizadeh spoke at a press conference at OHSU on February 27, 2017, along with Fatemeh's physicians and the Reshad family attorney, providing a post-surgery update on the Iranian child's condition. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital physicians, the Reshad family attorney and 4-month-old Fatemeh Reshad's uncle provided a post-surgery update on Fatemeh's condition, at a press conference held at OHSU in Portland, February 27, 2017. Fatemeh underwent surgery on February 17, and her doctors are pleased with how she is recovering. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

Laurie Armsby, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and interim head, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, OHSU School of Medicine, speaks at a press conference held at OHSU in Portland, February 27, 2017. Fatemeh underwent surgery on February 17, and her doctors are pleased with how she is recovering. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

"It was a miracle, I tell you," said Sam Taghizadeh, who said he and his family have been overwhelmed by the help and support they have received. Taghizadeh, uncle of 4-month-old Fatemeh Reshad who recently underwent heart surgery at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital, spoke at a press conference at OHSU on February 27, 2017. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

Jennifer M. Morrissey, J.D., an attorney representing the family of Fatemeh Reshad, speaks at at a press conference held at OHSU in Portland, February 27, 2017. Fatemeh underwent surgery on February 17, and her doctors are pleased with how she is recovering. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

Dana Braner, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M., physician-in-chief, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital speaks at a press conference held at OHSU in Portland, February 27, 2017. Fatemeh underwent surgery on February 17, and her doctors are pleased with how she is recovering. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

Sam Taghizadeh expressed thanks on behalf of the family of 4-month-old Fatemeh Reshad who recently underwent heart surgery at OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Taghizadeh, the child's uncle, spoke at a press conference at OHSU on February 27, 2017, along with Fatemeh's physicians and the Reshad family attorney providing a post-surgery update on the Iranian child's condition. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

Sam Taghizadeh shakes hands and thanks Dana Braner, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M., physician-in-chief, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital following a press conference held at OHSU in Portland, February 27, 2017. Taghizadeh's 4-month-old niece Fatemeh Reshad underwent heart surgery on February 17, and her doctors are pleased with how she is recovering. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Fatemeh update

Sam Taghizadeh jokes with members of the media following a press conference held at OHSU in Portland, February 27, 2017. Taghizadeh's 4-month-old niece Fatemeh Reshad underwent heart surgery on February 17, and her doctors are pleased with how she is recovering. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Heart diagram

Four-month-old Fatemeh Reshad was born with a complex, life-threatening heart defect known as transposition of the great arteries, or TGA. TGA with ventricular septal defect affects approximately 2 in 10,000 newborns each year. Although this defect is rare, OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital and other congenital cardiac centers in the United States routinely care for children with this condition. In the United States, the standard approach for a child born with this defect is to perform heart surgery, typically within several days to several weeks of birth. Generally speaking, the surgery has a very high rate of success. (OHSU)

Fatemeh