Broken hearts mended
Paula Beauchamp, health reporter
Herald Sun 02sep04

AT least eight Victorian children are taking mini heart starters to school each day so they can be shocked back to life if they have a cardiac arrest. The children, aged 8 to 14, are carrying the defibrillators as part of a new program run by the Royal Children's Hospital. Doctors deem the devices necessary because the children, who have heart abnormalities, are at risk of sudden death.

Disturbingly, another 10 children, including a two-year-old boy, are on a waiting list for the expensive, but life-saving device. Program co-ordinator Vanessa Connell shows teachers and staff how to use the $4500 machines.
Ms Connell said it was depressing some families couldn't afford them. "You want these kids to have their best possible chance," she said.
"For them, it really could mean the difference between life and death." Caleb Cordes, 8, is one of RCH's heart-start kids.

Caleb packs his school bag and slings a mini defibrillator over his shoulder before heading off to Tullamarine Primary School each day. He leaves the device in the principal's office. Staff have been trained to use the device in the event of a cardiac arrest.
Caleb, who was recently diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, said he was happy the machine allowed him to run around more. "I don't need to worry as much now," he said.

Cardiomyopathy affects the structure and function of the heart. Caleb also has ventricular arrhythmias, a fast heart rate that can trigger cardiac arrest. He was diagnosed at four.
Michelle Cordes, Caleb's mum, said her son's portable defibrillator gave her peace of mind when she dropped him at school each day. "I have a lot of faith in the school," she said.
"It gives me confidence to know the defibrillator can revert Caleb back if anything goes wrong."
Mrs Cordes said hearing from Caleb's cardiologist that he needed the defibrillator "threw the family for six".
"It was the first time his life-threatening condition became real for me," she said.

"Hearing the machine could bring Caleb back to life brought home the reality he could arrest."
Some days the risks cross Mrs Cordes' mind, but mostly she tries not to worry. "You can't wrap him up in cotton wool," she said.
"It's important for Caleb to have quality of life." Some days he asks his mum to carry the defibrillator into school instead.

"I guess he doesn't want to be different to the other kids," Mrs Cordes said.
She said she was grateful to Laerdal Pty Ltd and St John Ambulance.
The companies donated the Heartstart defibrillator and training sessions when they heard of Caleb's plight.

Philips Medical Systems also donated six machines, which will be distributed through the RCH's new program. The defibrillators are used by children who have electrical disturbances in their heart beat, including kids with long QT and cardiomyopathy.
When a child arrests, the machine's paddles are placed on the child's chest to analyse the heart activity.
If the child needs a shock, the machine will speak and tell the operator to press a button, giving the child a jolt.