Leipzig: Surgical treatment of congenital heart defects in children
For many years, it remained unclear why Charlotte found it so difficult to keep up with other children. She was frequently ill, had little appetite, gained hardly any weight, and at the age of four was barely able to walk 100 meters without stopping. Despite her joy in movement, she visibly lacked strength. The underlying causes went undetected—until a chance event in 2022 led to a decisive turning point.
After an accident at a playground, a noticeable heart murmur was detected at the hospital. A subsequent examination by a pediatric cardiologist resulted in the diagnosis: an untreated congenital heart defect, specifically an atrial septal defect (ASD II), a hole in the wall separating the atria. By that time, Charlotte’s pulmonary and hepatic veins were already enlarged, and the right side of her heart was under severe strain. Without medical intervention, her development would have suffered permanent damage, and her life expectancy would have been significantly reduced. Charlotte was immediately referred to the specialists at the Heart Center Leipzig.
In December 2022, Charlotte underwent surgery at the Heart Center Leipzig. Because the defect was too large to be closed using a minimally invasive device, open-heart surgery was required. The opening was successfully closed using the patient’s own tissue.
Dr. med. Marcel Vollroth, Lead Senior Physician of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Charlotte’s treating physician, explains:
“Charlotte had a large atrial septal defect measuring 2.4 cm, which could no longer be closed using a minimally invasive occluder. Therefore, we decided to perform open-heart surgery. Such procedures are among the more common routine operations in pediatric cardiac surgery, yet they still require the highest level of precision and experience. Seeing how active, cheerful, and healthy she is today demonstrates what modern cardiac medicine can achieve,” Dr. med. Marcel Vollroth, Lead Senior Physician of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Charlotte’s treating physician“
The operation was successful, and the postoperative course was stable. Just a few days after the procedure, Charlotte was able to walk again with assistance. At Christmas 2022, she enjoyed her first potato dumpling in her life—an event that held great symbolic meaning for the family.
Today, more than two years after the surgery, Charlotte’s health has improved significantly. She has grown, gained weight, and can finally be as active as her personality calls for. She has developed a particular passion for winter sports—whether skiing, inline skating, or cross-country running. Charlotte now even participates in competitions and proudly wears her medals. Her self-confidence has grown along with her physical strength.
Her parents speak of a long journey marked by uncertainty and many unanswered questions, but also by deep gratitude for the medical care they received.
“The care at the Heart Center Leipzig was not only outstanding from a medical perspective—we also felt very well supported on a personal level. We were especially touched by the loving gesture of using a heart doll to prepare Charlotte for surgery in a child-friendly way. The operation gave us our daughter back—or, in a way, truly gave her to us for the first time,” says Charlotte’s mother, Konstanze Kornagel. “Today she is a completely different child—a new Charlotte. And she loves life more than ever before.”
Charlotte will require lifelong cardiological follow-up, which is part of a responsible approach given her medical history. At present, however, she is healthy, active, and full of energy. Her story illustrates how crucial early and comprehensive diagnostics are—and what modern cardiac medicine is capable of today.
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