'Our whole world stopped when my baby daughter needed open heart surgery after rare diagnosis'

'Our whole world stopped when my baby daughter needed open heart surgery after rare diagnosis' Brad's daughter, Penny, was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart disease which affects about five out of every 10,000 babies — and she needed an operation A baby girl had life-saving surgery — after doctors were able to use a pioneering 3D printer to prepare. Penny has Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart condition which affects about five in every 10,000 babies, and needed open heart surgery. Doctors used a 3D model of the 13-month-old girl's heart to help her parents, Brad and Lizzie, through the process. Using the model, the couple were able to see the picture of what exactly doctors at Birmingham Children's Hospital needed to do. It was a gruelling process for Brad who, before the replica of the organ was made, became particularly anxious. Recalling his ordeal, Brad said: "That's the day, and I'd say this out loud, for me when the world will stop and it will only restart again when she's back through and I can see her face." But the 3D-printed replicas of her tiny heart were made at Aston University in Birmingham. One was the actual size of her heart and was used to show Brad and Lizzie what surgeons were dealing with, while another, larger and more detailed model was produced for doctors. They helped reassure Brad and Lizzie though the operation was still with its risks. Brad, from Broome, Worcestershire, said: "When she went for surgery, our whole world stopped. I don’t think we realised how difficult it would be, but she is doing so well. We’re over the moon." Now, little Penny is thriving and her outlook is bright. In the coming weeks, the tot will have further checks using a heart monitor and eventually, be checked annually for the rest of her life. Brad continued: "Penny is recovering really well at home and back to her bubbly self. Everyone who has looked after Penny has been amazing, we can’t thank them enough." Biomedical engineers at the university do scans to create the detailled models. These allow clinical teams to closely examine the anatomy of a patient’s heart. As a result, heart conditions — such as Penny's one — can be examined more clearly, rather than relying on a black and white ultrasound or CT image on a computer screen. Antonio Fratini, who leads the Engineering for Health Research Centre at Aston University, said: “This is a unique project that brings together engineers and clinicians to make a huge impact on people’s lives. Seeing the difference we can make to children, young people and their families is hugely rewarding for everyone involved.” Dr Ramcharan added: “Our collaboration with Aston University is hugely exciting. By using 3D printing, we’re exploring innovative ways to support the care of babies and children with complex heart conditions. I’m proud to be part of that work and incredibly thankful to our charity for funding this project. “We’re delighted that Penny is recovering so well following her surgery. The toddler and her family have shown incredible bravery throughout and it’s wonderful to see them able to look forward to the future.”