HEART CENTER
Luis
Diagnosed with
supraventricular tachycardia

Luis was diagnosed with a heart condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which causes a rapid heart rate. Many children have short periods of SVT, which begin and end quickly. Some children have no symptoms at all. 

“We were really scared because we knew it was something with the heart, but we didn’t know what was happening,” said Silviano, Luis’ father. “We knew it was delicate, and he was so small.” 

Soon after the Emergency Center visit, Dr. Naomi Kertesz, a Texas Children’s pediatric electrophysiologist, placed Luis on medication. “We had two options — he could be on medication the rest of his life or he could have the catheterization,” Silviano said. 

When Luis came in for the catheterization, he was very nervous. The family was calmed by the preparation and the doctors’ confidence, but the key to gaining Luis’ trust was allowing him to choose bubble gum-flavored anesthesia. 

After Luis’ heart procedure, he went back to his favorite pastime — playing the accordion. The talented musician taught himself to play by ear when he was 3. His parents are glad to have their son back on track. “He came through everything just fine,” Silviano said. “We are thankful for the care Luis got at Texas Children’s.”