More details about this project

Heart emergency for Louai, 14

The 14-year-old Louai underwent his first heart operation seven years ago in Algeria. At the time, Professor Henaine from Lyon’s Louis Pradel Hospital recommended a two-stage operation, as the surgical procedure was too risky. A cavo-pulmonary bypass of the superior vena cava was then performed, enabling him to live an almost normal life. However, with the slightest effort, he becomes blue and breathless. 

Now it’s time for the second operation: an inferior vena cava bypass. Without this heart surgery, Louai would continue to live with a blood oxygen saturation of just 80%. Professor Henaine says that Louai lives as if he were in the Himalayan mountains, resulting in polyglobulia, an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells to compensate for the lack of oxygen. 

This project will cover for this vital surgery to help Louai have a 95% oxygen saturation, meaning a normal life.

Total budget: €16,000