KZN boy youngest to get mechanical heart
The youngest person in Africa to undergo a mechanical heart implantation is doing well a month after the surgery.
Five-year-old, Mnotho Mndebele from Newcastle underwent surgery which saw a heart ventricular assist device (HVAD) inserted in his heart.
Mndebele suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy - where the heart's ability to pump blood is compromised because of a weakened left ventricle.
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Dr Viljee Jonker - a cardiothoracic surgeon who headed a team of specialists - says Mndebele has shown progress in the last month.
The surgery took place at Maboneng Heart Institute in Johannesburg. The youngster is due home this week.
