Costa Rica doctors perform first rare congenital heart surgery

Medical specialists are performing a first-of-its-kind surgical technique in Costa Rica to treat Ebstein anomaly, a rare and complex congenital heart disease affecting the tricuspid valve. The procedures, scheduled from September 28 to October 2, will benefit between four and five patients ranging in age from 4 to 39 years old.

The surgeries utilize a technique known as “modified cone repair.” The initiative is a collaborative effort involving international specialists, including Joseph Dearani from the Mayo Clinic, who will provide training to Costa Rican professionals. Local medical teams from the Hospital Nacional de Niños and Hospital San Juan de Dios are participating in the mission.

Beyond the operations, the medical program includes comprehensive training for national healthcare teams in case evaluation, clinical and interventional cardiology, cardiac anesthesia, intensive care, and patient follow-up. This mission aims to build local expertise in managing this specific type of cardiac condition, which is not habitually treated in the country.