A throat spray helped doctors detect a dangerous heart defect in a 12-year-old girl

Cardiologists from St. Nicholas Children’s Hospital in Lviv and interventional radiologists from St. Panteleimon Hospital jointly performed surgery on a 12-year-old girl from the Lviv region. The girl was diagnosed with a patent ductus arteriosus—a heart defect that should have closed on its own in the first few days after birth.

The dangerous defect was discovered when the child sought medical care for throat problems. A throat spray helped the doctors notice the girl’s condition and conduct the necessary examinations.

The patent ductus arteriosus could have led to serious complications, so the child required immediate surgical treatment. The operation was performed jointly by specialists from two hospitals in Lviv.

A year ago, the girl developed a sore throat and used a throat spray. Her reaction to the spray was unexpected—she began vomiting blood, which prompted an urgent examination. During the examination, a completely different hidden danger was accidentally discovered—an open ductus arteriosus in the heart.

Hospital officials explain that this vessel is essential for every child while in the womb, but it is supposed to close on its own in the first few days after birth. Otherwise, excess blood flow occurs, and the blood vessels, heart, and lungs become more vulnerable.

“A patent ductus arteriosus may not cause any noticeable symptoms of heart failure for a long time, but it is recommended to close it as a preventive measure. Due to the high-velocity blood flow, any bacterial infection in the body—even something as common as a sore throat or tooth decay—carries the risk of a dangerous complication: bacterial inflammation of the heart’s linings and valves—infective endocarditis. This is a fairly rare complication, but it can occur,” says cardiologist Khrystyna Kachur.

This condition can be treated without open-heart surgery—using a minimally invasive procedure—and the cost of the implant is covered by the government. Kira waited nearly a year on the waiting list for a special coil funded by the government.

The minimally invasive procedure was performed by specialists from two medical facilities: cardiologists from St. Nicholas Hospital and interventional radiologists from St. Panteleimon Hospital. Through a single micro-puncture in a blood vessel in the groin, the specialists guided a catheter directly to the girl’s heart and placed a miniature coil within the lumen of the patent ductus arteriosus, which blocks the abnormal blood flow. Over time, the implant will be completely covered by the body’s own tissues.

Just two hours after the procedure, the girl returned to her hospital room. Kira now faces several months of rest and follow-up examinations, after which she will be able to return to her normal life, including dancing.

This was reported by the hospital.

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