![\"Alyssa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/cd2ab6d1c468ae76b46f0acac2dd6ac9-1788761368.jpg\")
PA MediaAlyssa with her mother Pamela Ferrie PA Media<\/p>\nAn 11-year-old girl was well enough to start high school with her friends after becoming one of the first children in Scotland to undergo a pioneering heart valve procedure.<\/p>\n
Alyssa Ferrie, from Bargeddie, North Lanarkshire, is one of the first paediatric patients in Scotland to receive a new self-expanding VenusP valve, which was inserted using a minimally invasive procedure.<\/p>\n
She has previously undergone open-heart surgery, but the new technology helped her avoid that and recover more quickly.<\/p>\n
Alyssa was born with severe pulmonary valve stenosis, a congenital heart condition that affected blood flow from her heart to her lungs and meant her heart had to work harder to pump blood around her body.<\/p>\n
Since birth, she has lived with multiple heart conditions and three years ago underwent major open-heart surgery after developing an aneurysm in her aorta, with a long and challenging recovery period after the operation.<\/p>\n
Her mother Pamela Ferrie said: \u201cAlyssa had open-heart surgery three years ago and she ended up in hospital for five weeks afterwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was in intensive care for three-and-a-half weeks, and in an induced coma for two weeks with two collapsed lungs and sepsis.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis had led to Alyssa having lots of anxiety so when we heard she needed surgery again we were obviously very worried. I think we\u2019ve got a bit of PTSD from the last open-heart surgery.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo to find out we had the option of this new procedure, which is much less invasive, was just amazing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has helped massively, not just with her physical recovery but also mentally.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new procedure, carried out at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, allows cardiology specialists to replace a damaged pulmonary valve through a small tube inserted into a vein, rather than through open-heart surgery.<\/p>\n
The valve is then guided into position before expanding inside the heart and immediately taking over the function of the damaged valve.<\/p>\n
Mrs Ferrie said there was a big difference in her daughter\u2019s recovery after the procedure, which was carried out in late June this year.<\/p>\n
PA MediaAlyssa with her mother Pamela Ferrie PA Media<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cShe was home within two days. Even when she woke up after the procedure she was mobile straight away. It was a complete game changer, to be honest.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was out playing the week after her surgery, back out with her friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe started high school this month. That had been a worry of ours \u2013 if she\u2019d had open-heart surgery she probably wouldn\u2019t have been able to start high school at the same time as all of her friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been completely different from the last time round.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith her heart conditions, it comes with a lot of anxiety, but she\u2019s getting there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Experts said that the new procedure can bring benefits for suitable patients by offering a less invasive alternative to repeat open-heart surgeries.<\/p>\n
Dr Mohammad Ryan Abumehdi, consultant interventional paediatric and congenital cardiologist for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at the Royal Hospital for Children, said: \u201cThe introduction of self-expanding pulmonary valve technology is a significant step forward for children and young people with congenital heart disease in Scotland.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor carefully selected patients, this procedure allows us to replace a failing pulmonary valve without the need for an open-heart operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat can mean a much shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery and less disruption to family life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jamie Redfern, director of the Royal Hospital for Children, added: \u201cThis milestone demonstrates our commitment to bringing the latest evidence-based treatments to children and young people across Scotland.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy introducing new minimally invasive technologies, we can improve patients\u2019 experiences while reducing the need for major surgery and lengthy hospital admissions.\u201d<\/p>\n
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