A pioneering dissolvable heart implant has been fitted for the first time in the UK to a teenage girl, enabling her to pursue her ambition of becoming a professional rugby player. Lillie Yale, 14, from Warrington, underwent the procedure in June at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool.
The implant, known as Memosorb, was used to close an atrial septal defect (ASD), a hole in Lillie's heart. Unlike a permanent metal device, which could have hindered her rugby career due to the risk of dislodgement from heavy impact, this biodegradable implant will act as a scaffold for her heart to heal itself. It is expected to fully dissolve within six to 24 months, leaving no trace.
Lillie's mother, Becci Nichols, 38, confirmed her daughter is "healing perfectly" and has already returned to playing rugby, run a 5k, and visited a theme park. Dr. Salim Jivanji, consultant paediatric cardiologist, explained that the body's lining will cover the device, which then dissolves into carbon dioxide and water.
Lillie expressed her happiness with the operation, stating, "it's amazing to know I was the first person in the UK to have this new type of implant." Alder Hey secured a special licence from the medicines regulator to use the device.