The 1-year-old Minnesotan was the first in the country to receive the device

MINNEAPOLIS — In Iris’s short time on earth, she has already endured quite a few trials and hospital visits.

But thanks to medical breakthroughs, she’s now making history and hopes those days will be behind her.

Iris was born with Down syndrome and is surrounded by love, family and toys.

“She was fun to cuddle and play with,” said her father, Jason Price.

“It’s her all the time,” said Patricia Price, her mother, as her daughter giggled as she picked up the toy. – He’s smiling all the time.

They’ve been keeping her a little closer lately. Iris was born with a congenital heart defect that leaves holes in the heart. Jason and Patricia Price always knew she needed to have surgery, but they didn’t know that heart surgery would have to take place within the first year of her life.

“The expectations and unknowns are high,” Patricia said.

There weren’t many ways to close a heart as small as Iris’s. If left untreated, breathing, growth and feeding problems may occur. That’s why her parents decided to try something new.

Dr. Varun Aggarwal is a pediatric cardiologist at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital.

“The number of patients receiving these devices is less compared to a device intended for adult diseases,” Aggarwal said. “So doing all the research and development to create new devices for young patients is not that lucrative. However, we always appreciate companies’ cooperation on behalf of children.”

He says that Iris is the first in the country to have an Occlutech ASD occluder installed in her heart. It is about half the size of a pencil eraser and fills the space.

“Instead of open-heart surgery and pulmonary bypass, this may now be a minimally invasive solution for many children.” Aggarwal said.

Patricia and Jason admit that being the first was stressful, but Iris’ medical team says her heart should function normally now or for the rest of her life.

It even celebrated its first birthday last month, which is fitting for the first person to have this tiny device in their heart.

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