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  • New Leaky Heart Valve Treatment Gives Thomson Student a Bright Future
Article Category: PeopleCare

New Leaky Heart Valve Treatment Gives Thomson Student a Bright Future

Published on July 19, 2024

Last updated 10:31 AM February 24, 2025

JaQuan Hart HAART Device

Like most seniors, Ja’Quan Hart was very much looking forward to going off to college in the summer of 2023.

The Thomson, Ga., resident had just graduated high school and as a linebacker and tight end, helped lead his Thomson High School Bulldogs to win the Class AA State Championship.

“I had these big tackles, and I caught like an 89-yeard interception pass,” he said. “That was like my best game. We won state!”

Ja’Quan’s talent and skill on the football field—and his love of the game—earned him the opportunity to play for the University of Kansas with a full scholarship.

Unfortunately, life had other plans.

Amid packing for school and booking his flights, Ja’Quan learned from a routine sports physical that he had an irregularity in his heart that could be life-threatening.

That irregularity turned out to be a leaky aortic valve—and an abrupt end to his aspirations of a college football career.

“Blood was flowing back into my heart. It wasn’t going all the way through,” Ja’Quan explained.

In a healthy heart, leaflets between the left and right ventricles open to allow blood to flow through the heart one way and then close fully to keep blood from flowing back into the heart. In a condition like Ja’Quan’s, the leaflets do not close all the way and blood does leak back into the heart.

For most people the treatment for a leaky aortic valve involves a valve replacement. But a valve replacement now will often require another replacement surgery at some point in the future, and probably more than one, said Dr. Brian Bateson, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon and co-director of the adult congenital heart program at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. The younger the patient, the more potential surgeries the patient will need to have to replace the valves when they wear out.

Because Ja’Quan had not yet reached 20 years of age at the time of his care, a valve replacement would mean multiple surgeries over the course of his life.

The solution is a new device called the HAART ring that is affixed to the support structure of the aortic valve. This stabilizes the valve and allows for further repair of the leaflets themselves, meaning the valve can close properly and prevent leakage.

“If you’re using Ja’Quan’s own valve, keeping it in place and it functions, potentially he wouldn’t need another procedure again in his life because it’s still his own tissue. It’s not going to break down. Any prosthetic valve, whether it’s mechanical, bio-prosthetic will fail over time,” Dr. Bateson said. “Nothing’s better than what you’re born with.”

The HAART device is ideal for a young patient like Ja’Quan, but would also be a good treatment option for any person—pediatric or adult—with the same condition.

Ja’Quan spent three days in the hospital recovering from his surgery. Since, he has been slowly increasing his cardiovascular activity, such as walking, and following up with Dr. Bateson for regular checkups, who said he has been recovering very well.

Ja’Quan said he plans to continue to play sports, but will need to be more selective about the sports he can play.

“I play basketball. I just won’t be playing contact sports (like football),” he said.

Though he said it was disappointing to have to change direction as far as playing college football is concerned, Ja’Quan hasn’t let it dampen his spirit. Instead of college football, he is now exploring the possibility of driving trucks with the intention of going into business for himself—as long as it isn’t too strenuous for his heart.

“I’m not going to give up. I’m going to regroup and keep going and find another path to being successful in life,” he said.



Tags

Cardiology Cardiac Rehab Cardiac Imaging
01 Heart Care MCG Health Medical Center PeopleCare Heart Care KidCare
Related Articles
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Highlights

Marking Milestones with Wellstar Pediatricians

Because you and your child share the same goal—staying healthy and happy—your Wellstar pediatrician will partner with you both. Regular pediatric check-ups are beneficial for the whole family. Your family’s pediatrician will serve as a knowledgeable, trustworthy contact for all your health questions.

As children prepare for the new school year, one step families can take to stay healthy is to head to the pediatrician for an annual check-up.

“Children grow and change so much in their first few years of life,” said Wellstar Pediatrician Dr. Andrew Doyle. “Therefore, it is very important they see their pediatrician every few months during this time.”

In early childhood, your family should see a pediatrician regularly, with check-ups at these ages:

  • The first week (3 to 5 days old)
  • 1 month old
  • 2 months old
  • 4 months old
  • 6 months old
  • 9 months old
  • 12 months old
  • 15 months old
  • 18 months old
  • 2 years old (24 months)
  • 2 ½ years old (30 months)

Starting at age 3, children and adolescents should see their pediatrician once a year through age 21, when they can switch to an adult primary care physician to continue their care.

Healthy kids at every age

Your family’s pediatrician will get to know you and your child, personalizing care as they grow. Check with their doctor to ensure your kids are up to date on their immunizations and protected from disease. Flu shots are also recommended every year for everyone at least six months old.

  • Ages 3 to 5. Preschool-age children stay busy conquering milestones like climbing, taking turns, showing affection for others and learning shapes and colors. The pediatrician will ask if you have any concerns and discuss your child’s health, including eating habits and activity levels.
  • Ages 5 to 12. At this age, your child is growing quickly—a little more than 2 inches a year—but your Wellstar clinician will help you and your child keep up with the changes. Nutrition is especially important at this age as your child goes through their growth spurts. Sometime between the ages of 7 and 11 in girls, and 9½ to 13½ in boys, children start experiencing hormonal changes, and your family’s pediatrician can help your child stay healthy, both physically and mentally.
  • Teens. At this age, patients may have their own questions about their health and will have the opportunity to speak with their pediatrician alone. A check-up will include a physical exam, hearing and vision tests, and lab work like blood tests. The exam will likely include several screenings such as checking for scoliosis, measuring blood pressure and listening to the heart with a stethoscope. 

To get your child all set for a healthy school year, visit wellstar.org/kidcare to learn more about our expert pediatricians and book an appointment online.

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PeopleCare

MarioCare

Being proactive with his heart health proved lifesaving for Marion “Mario” Stokes—and paved the way for a minimally invasive artery replacement procedure that has given him renewed energy to do what he loves.

Catching a heart concern 

Mario enjoyed a busy career as an attorney practicing commercial litigation. He also stayed active throughout his life, serving as a Navy Judge Advocate General Corps officer, becoming a certified scuba divemaster, and enjoying photography and studying history. When he noticed he was out of breath frequently—and his smart watch notified him of an irregular heartbeat—he discussed his symptoms with his primary care physician. 

An electrocardiogram detected a leaky aortic valve, and after discussion with his care team at Wellstar Center for Cardiovascular Care, Mario decided to proceed with a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Advanced, minimally invasive surgery

Aortic stenosis occurs when the aortic valve narrows, preventing normal flow of blood from the left ventricle, also known as the pumping chamber of the heart, to the aorta and the rest of the body. Over time, this narrowing causes the heart’s left ventricle to pump harder to push blood through the stenotic aortic valve.

“TAVR is an amazing technology offering a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery,” said Wellstar Cardiologist Dr. Nabil Sabbak, who performed Mario’s procedure at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center. “The valve is delivered through a small catheter via a tiny incision in the groin, eliminating the need to open the chest or stop the heart. This approach is lower-risk for many patients and allows for a quicker recovery with less pain.”

Most patients are walking within hours of the procedure and leave the hospital within 24 hours, according to Dr. Sabbak. Many people return to daily activities within a week.

“I’m very sensitive to pain, but nothing ever hurt,” Mario said about his procedure.

‘It’s like a new heart’

Mario said his valve replacement has given him more energy than he had before, allowing him to enjoy his retirement and time with family. The improvement is evident in his regular walks around his neighborhood and exercise at Wellstar Health Place.

“There's a steep hill that's near our house. Before the procedure, I couldn't walk up the hill without stopping at least once or twice to pause and get my breath,” he said. “Now I can just walk right up—no problem. It's made a huge difference in my life."

He stays busy with his fiancée and their three-year-old granddaughter—taking her on trips to the zoo, botanical gardens and nature center—as well as visiting his two children in Las Vegas and Philadelphia.

“It's like a new heart. It's unbelievable really,” Mario said. “I slept twice as much before. Sometimes I'd sleep 10 or 12 hours a night and then maybe take a nap. I was really out of energy.”

He is also building strength at cardiac rehabilitation three times a week at Wellstar Vinings Health Park, as well as continuing treatment with his Wellstar heart care team.

“I have been super pleased with Wellstar,” Mario said. “The folks there are very professional, and they have a wonderful combination of intelligence, education and caring, from the receptionists to the nurses, physician assistants and doctors.”

Learn more about heart care at Wellstar.

Photo of Mario Stokes

Mario Stokes

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Photo of celery caterpillars. Text reads "5 Fun & Easy After-School Snacks. Family tested. Pediatrician approved."

Highlights

5 Fun and Easy After-School Snacks

By Dr. Joanna Dolgoff, Wellstar pediatrician

When school is in session, finding the perfect after-school snack that balances nutrition and deliciousness can feel like quite a task. As a board-certified Wellstar pediatrician, I understand the importance of fueling growing bodies with the right nutrients. With that, I'm excited to share five wholesome after-school snack ideas that are easy to make and fun for kids to eat. 

1. Celery Caterpillars

This creative snack recipe offers a good balance of protein from peanut butter, along with a variety of fruits and vegetables, providing essential vitamins and antioxidants for growing children.

What You’ll Need:
Peanut butter
Celery
Grapes
Blueberries
Grape tomatoes
Candy eyes

Directions:

  1. Fill stalks of celery with peanut butter.
  2. Place grapes, blueberries or grape tomatoes atop celery sticks. These will be the body and head of your caterpillars. 
  3. Apply peanut butter to the backs of candy eyes, then place eyes on grape, tomato or blueberry to create face.
  4. Optional: Cut thin matchsticks from a celery stick and place behind candy eyes to create the antennae. 

2. Apple Sailboats

This recipe is excellent for kids as it combines the crisp sweetness of apples, a good source of fiber and vitamins, with protein-rich peanut butter and the added crunch of Cheerios to create a tasty and nutritionally balanced snack. Toothpicks may be a choking hazard for children, so supervise as your family makes and enjoys this snack. 

What You’ll Need:
One apple
Peanut butter
Cheerios
Low-fat cheese
Toothpicks

Directions:

  1. Cut apple in half and remove the apple’s core. 
  2. Spread peanut butter across the flat side of your apple halves. 
  3. Place Cheerios on top of peanut butter spread. 
  4. Using a thick slice of cheese, cut triangular sails for your apple boats. 
  5. Attach sail to boat using toothpick.

3. Krazy Kabobs 

This krazy kabob recipe is a playful and nutritious way to encourage children to enjoy a variety of fruits. Filled with hydrating watermelon, sweet cantaloupe, refreshing honeydew, juicy pineapple, antioxidant-rich blueberries and grapes, these skewers provide a spectrum of vitamins and flavors, promoting a fun and healthy snacking experience for young taste buds.

What You’ll Need:
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Honeydew
Pineapple
Blueberries
Grapes
Wood skewers
Fruit-shape cutters (stars, hearts, etc.)

Directions:

  1. Cut horizontal slices of your larger fruits (watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew). 
  2. Use your fruit cutters to cut shapes out of your fruit slices. 
  3. Place any creative combination of fruits or fruit shapes onto your skewer to create the ultimate krazy kabob.

4. Veggie Cars

This wholesome veggie car recipe is a fun way to encourage children to enjoy their vegetables. With vibrant baby peppers and baby cucumbers, the snack not only provides essential vitamins, but also engages kids in a fun, hands-on experience of assembling their own veggie cars, promoting both healthy eating and interactive play. Toothpicks may be a choking hazard for children.

What You’ll Need:
10 baby peppers
Six baby cucumbers
Toothpicks

Directions:

  1. Slice cucumbers into half-inch rounds, discarding the ends. These will be your wheels. 
  2. Place two toothpicks through each pepper. The toothpicks will serve as the axels to your cars. 
  3. Push one cucumber round onto the ends of each toothpick to form the full car.

5. Banana Lollipops 

These banana lollipops offer a delightful and healthier alternative to traditional sweets. With the natural sweetness of bananas and the richness of dark chocolate, the recipe makes for an enjoyable, nutritious after-school snack for kids of all ages.  

What You’ll Need:
One banana
Chopped dark chocolate bar
Popsicle sticks
Wax paper and baking sheet

Directions:
  1. Unpeel banana and slice into inch-thick rounds, discarding the ends. 
  2. Insert one popsicle stick into each round. 
  3. Place chopped dark chocolate into microwave-safe bowl and heat until melted. 
  4. Dip each banana round into chocolate.
  5. Place popsicles onto wax paper-covered baking sheet and let freeze for 45 minutes.  

As a pediatrician dedicated to the well-being of children, these snack ideas offer more than delicious bites—they pave the way for a lifetime of healthy habits. Incorporating a variety of fruits and vegetables, these recipes not only provide essential vitamins and minerals, but also engage young minds in the joy of preparing and enjoying wholesome foods. Learn more about how to keep your kids happy and healthy by scheduling an appointment with a world-class Wellstar pediatrician today. 

A graduate of New York University Grossman School of Medicine, Dr. Joanna Dolgoff is a board-certified pediatrician with Wellstar.

Photo of Dr. Joanna Dolgoff. Text reads "Joanna Dolgoff, MD, pediatrics. Dr. Joanna Dolgoff is a board-certified pediatrician with Wellstar."

Wellstar’s content, and all related media, are provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. Consult a pediatrician for the diet that’s best for your child.

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