Name: Amelia

Condition(s):

  • Coarctation of the Aorta

Specialty(s):

Age at Treatment: birth

Age Today: 0 Years

Meet Amelia

Amelia’s heart condition was discovered before she was even born. During what we thought would be a routine anatomy scan, doctors noticed that her aortic valve and aortic arch were smaller than expected and became concerned about a possible coarctation. She was born in May 2026 and was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect, including a complete coarctation of the aortic arch, a bicuspid aortic valve with stenosis, and an ASD. Amelia was transported to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where she underwent aortic arch augmentation and PDA ligation. At just two months old, she developed severe aortic valve stenosis and recurring narrowing of the repaired arch. She underwent a heart catheterization with balloon procedures to open her aortic valve and the remaining narrowing in her aorta. Watching our tiny baby go through those procedures was terrifying, but the team at Nationwide became people we trusted with her life. What sticks with me most is how quickly our lives changed from preparing for a newborn to learning medical terminology, watching monitors, and taking everything one day at a time. Today, Amelia is growing, smiling, eating and showing us her sassy personality. She loves being held, playing with her sisters, and simply getting to be a baby. She is our little fighter, and every ordinary moment with her feels extraordinary.
From prenatal diagnosis to complex heart procedures and ongoing care, our Heart Center team supports children with congenital heart conditions every step of the way.
Click here to learn more about The Heart Center

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Coarctation of the Aorta

Coarctation of the aorta is a heart defect that is present at birth (congenital) in which the aorta is narrowed and results in decreased blood flow to the lower body. The left ventricle (pumping chamber) of the heart must work harder in order to pump blood through the narrowed aorta.

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