Baby survives near-death heart complications, returns home Tuesday

SAN ANTONIO — A University Hospital medical team gathered to celebrate the departure of a 7-month-old with a congenital heart condition Tuesday.

Owen Saporito was at the hospital for almost three months and had several close calls.

The family knew that Owen would eventually need heart surgery, but before the time came, Owen caught a virus from his older brother.

Owen's weakened heart couldn't take the strains and was transferred to University Hospital. On December 1st, Owen's condition was critical and he went into cardiac arrest.

He was placed on an ECHMO machine which removes carbon dioxide from the body and sends oxygen-filled blood back into the body until Owen would be stable enough to have surgery.

Dr. Aaron Abarbanell says that congenital heart problems are the number one birth defect.

He urges parents to talk with their doctors during and after their pregnancy about the possibility of a heart problem and treatment for their babies.

Owen's medical team says that he is a miracle baby that beat the odds with the help of medical skills and technology.