Bound by Heart

Like most siblings, Heidi and Harper Gaffney of San Antonio, Texas, have their differences. Heidi, 17, describes herself as more girly and is an agriculture student, while Harper, 13, loves to skateboard and aspires to become a pastry chef. Despite their differences, they share a love for pop icons like Taylor Swift and Harry Styles. But now, they have one more thing in common: the use of a life-saving device that helps their hearts beat.

The Gaffney sisters were both born with a genetic condition known cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart muscle to thicken, making it more difficult for the heart to pump effectively. This condition runs in their family, affecting two of their siblings and their mother, Ashley Gaffney, who manages her own condition with medication.

“Up until pretty recently, we thought that would be the path for the girls,” says Ashley.

However, in 2024, a heart catheterization revealed that both Harper and Heidi were at risk of heart failure due to an irregular heartbeat.

Fortunately, they were in the best hands: UT Health Austin congenital heart surgeon Charles Fraser, Jr., MD, and his team at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease diagnoses, treats, and manages the care of children and adults with heart diseases and defects. Dr. Fraser serves as both Chief of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery for the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease and Executive Director of the Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a clinical partnership between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin.

Care in a League of Its Own

In the six years since its founding, the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease has grown dramatically, attracting patients from across the United States and internationally due to its groundbreaking care.

“Within a year, we expect to add two more surgeons and two to three anesthesiologists,” adds Dr. Fraser. “A new heart catheterization lab will open this fall.”

In addition to its rapid expansion, the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease offers some of the best outcomes for even the most complicated cases. Over the past four years, Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease has maintained a 1.92% observed mortality rate, which is 35% lower than expected, according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ database. Compared with other congenital heart centers, the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease is in a league of its own.

In the Operating Room

When the Gaffney family arrived at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease earlier last year, they learned that their conditions were more complex than originally believed.

“Their hearts were in surprisingly bad shape,” notes Dr. Fraser. “Instead of a steady beat, their hearts were just erratically pounding.”

Both girls needed a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to help their hearts pump. Harper underwent surgery first in April 2024, followed by Heidi in July 2024. Dr. Fraser and the entire Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease care team took utmost care to ensure the procedures went as smoothly as possible.

“There is zero margin for error,” emphasizes Dr. Fraser.

The procedure started with a carefully timed anesthetic. To avoid shock to their already weakened hearts, the anesthetic was administered over 15 minutes rather than the typical 30 seconds. This also gave the girls more time to listen to the mix of songs they each curated—hits from Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, and Niall Horan—playing in the operating room to comfort them as they drifted off.

A Heart-Filled Approach to Care

The Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease is comprised of highly specialized pediatric cardiac care providers, including doctors, nurses, child life specialists, and more, who worked together to provide personalized care for the Gaffney sisters and ensured they felt supported ahead of their big procedures.

“I used to cry a lot at my appointments,” shares Heidi. “But when I came here, I felt like all the doctors and nurses were trying to make it more comfortable for me. It helped me feel less anxious and like I had people to talk to.”

Though she originally wanted to become a zoologist, Heidi expressed a new desire to pursue a career in pediatric nursing after her experience at the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease.

The sisters especially appreciated the care and concern of Dr. Fraser through every step of the process. As they each prepared to undergo surgery, Dr. Fraser held their hands as they went under the anesthetic. This gesture was meant not only to comfort them but also to feel their heartbeat firsthand.

“I know that I wasn’t able to be there to comfort her, so it was nice hearing that Dr. Fraser did that for my little sister,” says Heidi. “Dr. Fraser held her hand when I couldn’t.”

Their physical therapy was also tailored to help the girls return to the activities they enjoy most— like dancing at an upcoming concert.

“Once my physical therapist and the music therapist found out that I was going to a Niall Horan concert, they decided that my physical therapy was going to involve me standing up and having a dance party,” shares Harper.

Life With LVADs

The LVADs are intended to prepare the girls for heart transplants after three months. While the thought of additional surgery is nerve-wracking, the sisters are determined to face it with each other at their side.

“When you have to have your transplant, we do it together,” Harper reassures her sister.

For now, the LVADs allow the sisters to carry on with most of their daily activities.

“There are some normal things we can’t do anymore,” acknowledges Heidi, “but just because we have a medical condition doesn’t mean we can’t do certain things. We just need to take precautions. We find ways to work around it and still have fun, like normal teenagers.”

With the support of their new heart assist devices and their dedicated care team, the Gaffney sisters are ready to “shake it off” and embrace a brighter future.

To learn more about the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, visit here.