A medical milestone has been achieved in Chiriquí province. Doctors performed a cardiac procedure for the first time at a local hospital. Three children now have a new chance at life without traveling to Panama City.
Dr. Rafael Hernández L. Specialized Hospital Center in David conducted the groundbreaking interventions. The patients were 8 months old, 9 months old, and 6 years old. Each child suffered from Persistent Ductus Arteriosus, a condition causing heart and lung complications if left untreated. The medical team performed the procedure in the facility’s Hybrid Operating Room, combining surgical and imaging capabilities.
Minimally Invasive Heart Treatment Saves Young Patients
Graciela Tejedor from the hospital’s Pediatrics department explained the urgency behind the operations. “These children suffer many illnesses as a result of these pathologies and their health gradually deteriorates if this correction is not made,” Tejedor said. [Translated from Spanish]
The team used Cardiac Catheterization to close the ductus arteriosus. This minimally invasive approach requires only small punctures. All three children left the operating room without needing mechanical ventilation.
Interventional pediatric cardiologist Aldo Campos Quintero detailed the technical success. “The interventions were performed through femoral punctures with successful results,” Campos Quintero stated. [Translated from Spanish]
Specialists confirmed the patients are recovering well. They could receive medical discharge over the weekend. This eliminates the need for stressful transfers to the capital.
Regional Health Impact Extends Beyond Chiriquí
Medical experts noted a significant pattern in the region’s patient population. In mountainous areas like the Ngäbe Buglé Comarca, the ductus can take longer to close naturally. This increases the incidence of these cases compared to communities at sea level.
The successful procedures mark a turning point for pediatric cardiac care in western Panama. Families previously faced long journeys to Panama City for specialized treatment. Now local resources can handle these complex cases.
Hospital administrators plan to expand cardiac services based on this achievement. The Hybrid Operating Room proved essential for the delicate work. Doctors performed the entire procedure without open heart surgery.
Recovery times should be shorter for the three children. Their families can stay close to home during hospitalization. The hospital expects to schedule additional cases in coming months.
This medical first demonstrates how regional hospitals can reduce healthcare disparities. Rural populations often lack access to specialized pediatric cardiology. The Chiriquí team has proven that advanced care is possible outside major urban centers.