Rymska Ksenia

28‑year‑old Ksenia Rymska, who is in her fifth month of pregnancy and comes from the Kyiv Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, was referred to the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery. The young woman has a congenital heart defect – coarctation of the aorta – and her blood pressure rose to 200. After examining Ksenia at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, the doctors concluded that, to save both mother and child, an urgent endovascular intervention to close the defect is required. She urgently needs an intracardiac implant.

In childhood, Ksenia already underwent an open‑heart surgery to close a defect, but during the operation doctors discovered another aortic defect – hypoplasia, which at that time was harmless and did not require treatment. Now Ksenia is pregnant, and the strain on her heart has increased. Her blood pressure rises to 200, and it is extremely difficult to control without correcting the aortic narrowing. If the intervention is not performed in time, she could lose her baby and even her own life.

The intracardiac implant cost 71 797 UAH. The family had raised 20 000 UAH. At the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery there was a balloon catheter for stent expansion. They were short 51 797 UAH to purchase the implant. The family turned to the Future Hearts charity foundation for help. After hearing Ksenia’s story and consulting with doctors, we immediately sought assistance from UBB. As soon as we explained the seriousness of the situation to UBB, we jointly decided that we needed to negotiate with the supplier to place the intracardiac implant on credit for Ksenia and start raising funds through UBB’s online service. Fortunately, the supplier agreed, and on 21.05.15 at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, endovascular surgeons under the supervision of doctors from IPAG AMN of Ukraine successfully performed the operation, after which Ksenia and her future baby feel well. The doctors managed to halve the pressure. Now the lives of the mother and child are no longer at risk.

Project started on 20.05.15. Fundraising was carried out using an online service. 221 donors participated in the project and the required amount was collected on 27.05.15. After the operation at Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Ksenia was transferred to IPAG AMN of Ukraine for further pregnancy management. On 04.05.15 Ksenia was discharged from IPAG AMN of Ukraine home before delivery, as there were no indications for her continued stay in the hospital.

Now Ksenia and her future child are feeling well. We will continue to monitor Ksenia’s progress and keep you informed. The Rymskykh family sends a huge thank you to all donors for their help, and also asks you to thank UBB for your diligent work and professionalism, for your humanity and inexhaustible compassion! We sincerely express our deep gratitude to all donors for their assistance and caring concern for the fate of others.

Full name: Rymska Ksenia Eduardivna, 25.10.1986

City: Dnipro

Diagnosis: congenital heart defect – coarctation of the aorta

All details and documentation are here.