Meet Avi
Avi needed a heart transplant after being diagnosed with HLHS.
Avi was diagnosed with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) in utero, in 2021. HLHS is a critical congenital heart defect, and extremely rare, affecting about 1 out of every 3,841 babies born in the U.S. each year. The cause is unknown. In the simplest terms, HLHS means the left ventricle of Avi’s heart is too small.
Avi’s treatment plan for HLHS included three separate palliative open heart surgeries, including one shortly after birth, one before age 1, and one more at preschool age.
Avi sailed through the first two surgeries with minimal complications, his pure joy and zest for life (and snacks) seeing him through. He was not due for his third, and final, surgery until 2024 or later.
However in early 2023, he started struggling. His heart was not keeping up with him. Avi suffered a stroke and was admitted to Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters (CHKD) in Norfolk, VA, where it was discovered he has severely decreased heart function. After nearly three weeks of heart failure treatment, it was decided Avi needed to transfer to UVA Children’s to be listed for a heart transplant.
Avi and his family relocated to Charlottesville while Avi waits in-patient for his donor heart. He needed special medical care and support while waiting for his new heart, which he receoved in May 2023. Family stayed close by at Rosie’s Place.
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