Charlie & Moose Moose and Wally
During his 20-week ultrasound, Charlie was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (TGA). TGA is a rare, congenital heart defect in which the two main arteries leaving the heart are reversed. Charlie’s parents learned he would need his heart repaired right after birth.
When Charlie was born in 2019, he was quickly scheduled for open heart surgery with Victor Morell, MD, at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. During this procedure, Dr. Morell performed an arterial switch in which he corrected Charlie’s reversed arteries. After a 16-day stay in the hospital, Charlie was ready to return home. While the surgery was successful, Charlie’s heart condition requires close monitoring and lifelong management. In May 2024, Charlie underwent another procedure performed by Jacqueline Kreutzer, MD, to improve blood flow to his heart and lungs.
Luckily, Charlie has an amazing support system, including his two stuffed friends, Moose Moose and Wally. Gifted to him by his uncle, Moose Moose has been by Charlie’s side since he was a baby. Wally, a weighted koala, has recently joined Charlie’s family and provides comfort during especially stressful times. With the support of his family and care team at UPMC Children’s, Charlie is a resilient four-year-old with a special heart. He loves anything with wheels, especially Thomas the Train, and is amazing at puzzles and LEGO® sets. Charlie follows up with the Heart Institute every six months to monitor his heart function.
Charlie’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.