Sunita Ferns, MD, Makes Headlines with Innovative Use of Heart Device

Posted on February 10, 2025
Dr. Sunita Ferns and EV-ICD illustration provided by Medtronic
EV-ICD illustration courtesy of Medtronic
Dr. Sunita Ferns and an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD)

After a 2-year-old patient suffered cardiac arrest at home and was revived by CPR performed by his parents, the patient was transported to OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois. There, Dr. Sunita Ferns, UICOMP visiting associate professor of clinical pediatrics, led a team effort to select, trial and implant for the first time an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD) in a toddler. Developed by Medtronic to treat abnormal heart rhythms, the device is traditionally implanted in adults or older children. But Dr. Ferns and the care team determined the young patient would benefit from receiving the device and that it presented his best chance for a long, healthy life.

The minimally invasive procedure required only small incisions used to implant the device and was determined to be a success. What followed the groundbreaking defibrillator implantation was significant local and regional new coverage, including feature articles by the American Hospital Association and National Public Radio affiliate WCBU. The care team also published a case report in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

These links highlight other media coverage of the breakthrough procedure:

 

Modified on February 10, 2025