Dr. Farhouch Berdjis M.D., Medical Director of the Adult Congenital Program performed a life-saving procedure using AGA Medical's Amplatzer Muscular VSD Occluder . Dr. Berdjis repaired a hole in the patient’s heart through a tiny incision thus offering the patient a much safer alternative to open heart surgery.

The Amplatzer Muscular VSD Occluder employs a minimally-invasive catheter which is inserted through a tiny incision, instead of surgery, which cuts recovery time and the need for open heart surgery. The procedure was performed for the first time in Orange County, California. Previously, Dr. Berdjis has performed this type of procedure in Germany.

“Before the surgery, I was experiencing more fatigue than before and my cardiologist knew that something had to be done, and fast ,” said Yvonne Domingos, a San Diego resident who recently underwent the VSD closure procedure at St. Joseph Hospital.

Domingos has long suffered from Tetralogy of Fallot. It is a congenital heart defect of VSD which leaves a hole between the two bottom chambers of the heart. She had the condition at birth and 18, she had the defect repaired. The patch which was used to correct the defect began to tear and needed to be repaired after several years. Domingos was referred to the Adult Congenital Heart Program at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, CA.

“I am pleased that her procedure was successful in repairing the defect in her heart,” said Dr. Berdjis. “This procedure showcases a minimally invasive procedure that is available to congenital heart defect patients throughout the community that has phenomenal results. We will be able to do even more once we open the Hybrid Operating Room.”