Two heart transplants, one life: The resilience of a Colombian child facing a cardiac disease

• Juan David Galindo became the first child in Colombia to receive a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in 2012, a device that stabilized his condition and enabled him to become a candidate for his first heart transplant. This procedure marked a breakthrough in the treatment of critical pediatric heart conditions.
• Two transplants, an extraordinary medical challenge: In 2023, Juan David underwent a second heart transplant due to complications associated with chronic rejection. His case highlights the expertise of the HIC Cardiovascular Institute in performing highly complex procedures on pediatric patients.
• To date, the institution has performed 62 pediatric heart transplants, solidifying its position as a key center in Latin America for treating complex conditions such as congenital heart disease and advanced heart failure.

Bucaramanga, Colombia, December 2024. At just three years old, Juan David Galindo was diagnosed with genetic dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that weakens the heart muscle, enlarges its chambers, and compromises its ability to pump blood efficiently. This disease, which can lead to heart failure and other serious complications, placed him in a critical situation requiring urgent and specialized medical attention.

Originally from Jenesano, a small town in the department of Boyacá, Colombia, Juan David and his mother, Diana Patricia Gordillo, traveled to Bucaramanga in search of answers after exhausting all options in their hometown. His case not only posed a significant medical challenge but also paved the way for groundbreaking advancements in the management of critical pediatric heart conditions in the country.

At the Cardiovascular Institute of the Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC), the medical team implemented a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a procedure that temporarily replaces heart function and provides long-term support for patients in critical condition. “Up until that point, we had used ECMO, a temporary life-support technique for the heart and lungs, but its duration is limited. With Juan David, we had to opt for the LVAD, which provides prolonged and effective support. He was the first pediatric patient in Colombia to receive this treatment,” explains Dr. Javier Castro, a pediatric cardiologist at the hospital.

Although the LVAD stabilized Juan David’s heart, the journey was far from easy. “His initial progression wasn’t good,” notes Dr. Castro. However, the device gave the medical team enough time to initiate an intensive rehabilitation process, a critical step to improve his condition and prepare him for a heart transplant.

In 2012, after months of rehabilitation and dedicated medical efforts, Juan David was placed on the heart transplant waiting list. The journey to that point was arduous, including severe complications such as an ischemic stroke, which temporarily left him blind, mute, and immobile. Throughout the challenges, his mother became his unwavering pillar of support, documenting every milestone in his recovery.

“I recorded every little progress to show the doctor: from moving his eyes to attempting to crawl, every improvement was a sign of hope,” recalls Diana Patricia. “It was as if he had to learn to live all over again—sitting, moving, recovering the basics. But each step brought us closer to the possibility of a transplant,” she adds. Finally, on November 15 of that year, Juan David’s recovery was sufficient for him to be re-listed for a heart transplant.

Soon after, the long-awaited news arrived: a donor match had been found. The surgery was a turning point in his life. “When he came out of the operation, he looked pink. For the first time, he didn’t look pale. It was like seeing him reborn,” Diana recalls with emotion.

The transplant not only saved Juan David’s life but also allowed him to rediscover childhood experiences that once seemed impossible. He returned to school, explored new interests, and began to enjoy everyday moments once beyond his reach. While medical checkups remained essential, the operation gave him the chance to grow, dream, and embrace life anew.

A second challenge: The road to another transplant

“For 11 years, the transplanted heart allowed Juan David to enjoy a fuller life, despite the challenges of being a transplant patient,” explains Dr. Castro. His case underscores the importance of comprehensive rehabilitation and the coordinated efforts of a specialized medical team to provide sustainable solutions for critical patients.

However, in 2022, Juan David’s health began to decline. Extreme fatigue, fainting spells, and chest pain signaled complications. These symptoms, often associated with chronic rejection in long-term transplant patients, indicated that his heart was failing.

Faced with this situation, the medical team determined that a second heart transplant was the only viable option. Despite the risks, Juan David did not hesitate. “If it’s to live longer, let’s do it,” he said with the determination that has defined his journey.

“There are no impossibles”

For Diana Patricia, this new stage brought uncertainty but also determination. “I knew something wasn’t right, but I never thought about giving up. I always told Juancho, ‘There are no impossibles; we’ll get through this together,’” she says.

In March 2023, a donor heart became available. The procedure was successful, though post-operative complications required intensive monitoring. Despite the challenges, Juan David demonstrated remarkable resilience. “I love living so much, so whatever it takes for my health, I’m on board,” he says.

Today, at 16 years old, Juan David continues his recovery, attending school and looking toward a future full of possibilities.

Dr. Javier Castro, who has been by Juan David’s side from the beginning, stresses the role of transplantation as a last-resort treatment. “A transplant is always the final option, the step we take when no other alternatives remain. Fortunately, at our institution, we have the team, the infrastructure, and the expertise to make it possible. Cases like Juan David’s remind us of the profound impact we can have by offering the chance for life to those who face these immense challenges.”

Advancing care for complex diseases

This second transplant marks another milestone in a case that had already made history. In 2012, Juan David became the first pediatric patient in Colombia to receive a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), a device that stabilized his condition and allowed him to become a candidate for his first heart transplant.

To date, the HIC Cardiovascular Institute has performed 62 pediatric heart transplants, demonstrating its expertise in treating complex conditions such as congenital heart disease and advanced heart failure. In Colombia, organ transplants are regulated to prioritize national patients, in accordance with allocation policies. However, for international patients, the HIC offers innovative alternatives such as ventricular assist devices and artificial hearts, which provide effective solutions and significantly improve quality of life.

Globally, the need for organ donors remains critical. Cases like Juan David’s highlight not only the progress of modern medicine but also the transformative impact of human solidarity.