Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLillie Yale, 14, has become the first UK patient to have a dissolvable heart implant fitted to treat atrial septal defect (Becci Nichols/PA)Lillie Yale, a 14-year-old from Warrington, has become the first patient in the UK to receive a dissolvable heart implant to treat an atrial septal defect. The operation was performed in June by surgical experts at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool under a special licence from the medicines regulator. Known as Memosorb, the biodegradable device acts as a temporary scaffold for the heart to repair itself before fully dissolving into carbon dioxide and water over six to 24 months. The innovative treatment allowed Lillie to continue her dream of playing rugby, which would have been impossible with a traditional metal implant due to the risk of impact damage. Lillie is recovering exceptionally well, having already returned to playing rugby, visiting a theme park and completing a 5k run. In fullGirl, 14, has dissolvable heart implant the size of 10p coin fitted in UK firstMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Teen becomes first UK patient to receive dissolvable heart implant
Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleLillie Yale, 14, has become the first UK patient to have a dissolvable heart implant fitted to treat atrial septal defect (Becci Nichols/PA)Lillie Yale, a 14-year-old from Warrington, has become the first patient in the UK to receive a dissolvable heart implant to treat an atrial septal defect. The operation was performed in June by surgical experts at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool under a special licence from the medicines regulator. Known as Memosorb, the biodegradable device acts as a temporary scaffold for the heart to repair itself before fully dissolving into carbon dioxide and water over six to 24 months. The innovative treatment allowed Lillie to continue her dream of playing rugby, which would have been impossible with a traditional metal implant due to the risk of impact damage. Lillie is recovering exceptionally well, having already returned to playing rugby, visiting a theme park and completing a 5k run. In fullGirl, 14, has dissolvable heart implant the size of 10p coin fitted in UK firstMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
