Pioneering surgery in Colombia restores biventricular function in the heart of an 8-year-old Venezuelan boy

• José Ángel Chacón is the first patient in Colombia to undergo this surgery, which successfully restored the function of both ventricles of the heart, returning it to normal physiology.
• This procedure marks a significant advancement in pediatric cardiac surgery, as it reduces complications associated with univentricular circulation and improves life expectancy.
• Globally, around 100 cases of this intervention have been published, reflecting a growing trend in its implementation. In Colombia, with no previous documented cases, the HIC Cardiovascular Institute has become a pioneer in this approach.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, May 2025. From birth, José Ángel faced an extraordinary challenge. Diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, only part of his heart was functioning, and his chances were limited. In search of a better quality of life for their son, his parents traveled a long road from Venezuela to the HIC Cardiovascular Institute, located in Bucaramanga, a city in northeastern Colombia, where his prognosis changed.

In a highly complex and unprecedented procedure in the country, a multidisciplinary team of specialists successfully restored the function of both ventricles in José Ángel’s heart. This intervention not only gives him the opportunity to live a normal life today but also opens the door for other children with similar conditions to access innovative treatments that improve their health outcomes.

According to Dr. Sara Mendoza Crespo, Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Surgery, a detailed evaluation revealed that despite a univentricular approach applied during a previous surgery at another institution, both ventricles had the potential to function adequately.

“Reversing the surgery was a major challenge, as it meant completely reconstructing the way blood circulated through his heart. The goal was for each ventricle to fulfill its natural role: one sending blood to the lungs for oxygenation, and the other pumping it to the rest of the body. For eight years, only one ventricle had performed both tasks,” explained Dr. Mendoza.

She noted that over time, patients with this condition (a single functional ventricle) may experience progressive deterioration, increasing the risk of heart failure and other severe complications, which in some cases require a heart transplant.

“Our goal with this procedure is to reduce those risks and offer children a better quality of life, as well as a longer life expectancy,” she added.

About the procedure

With the support of experts from Boston Children’s Hospital and based on international experience, the medical team took on the challenge of performing this innovative procedure with responsibility and expertise. The ten-hour surgery required the close coordination of specialists in interventional cardiology, anesthesia, and cardiovascular surgery, as it combined nearly five interventions into a single operation.

One of the key phases of the procedure was the reconstruction of blood circulation, which required disconnecting the previous connections of the vena cavae and reconnecting them using a vascular graft from the institution’s Tissue Bank.

The success of the procedure was evident in José Ángel’s immediate recovery. Today, he has optimal oxygenation and can live an active life without the limitations he previously faced. He can now run, play soccer, and dream without limits—just like any child his age.

“This surgery gave my son a new chance at life. We’ve witnessed his recovery, especially in everyday activities that were once very difficult. We are eternally grateful to the doctors and to God for this blessing,” said his father, José Alexis Chacón.

With this achievement, the Hospital Internacional de Colombia reaffirms its commitment to medical innovation and its mission to transform the lives of children with congenital heart disease in Colombia, Venezuela, and throughout the region.