A Heart Murmur Found at the Dentist: Arumi’s PDA Closure Journey

Arumi is a bright and cheerful girl from West Kalimantan, with a big sense of curiosity and a smile that warms the people around her. She grew up like any other child, although she often tired quickly and sometimes had trouble breathing. In this video, Arumi and her mother share their journey up to the day Arumi underwent PDA closure at Heartology.

How It Was Found

It all began with a routine dental check-up when Arumi was still small. During the visit, the doctor heard an unusual murmur in her heart. Her tiredness, which had seemed minor, turned out to be the start of an important finding. The concern came up again when Arumi had a follow-up visit after being hospitalized for a high fever. A cardiologist in her home region then performed an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, which showed that Arumi had a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) measuring about 3 to 3.5 mm.

A PDA is a channel between the aorta and the lung artery that should close on its own after a baby is born but stays open. When she heard the diagnosis, Arumi's mother felt a mix of emotions: sad, moved, and anxious. “How could this happen to Arumi, such a bright child,” she recalled. She was also confused and worried that everything would be difficult because they had to seek treatment far from home.

Choosing Heartology

Arumi was then referred to Jakarta. With high hopes for their daughter's health, her parents brought her from Kalimantan to Heartology. The family chose Heartology because it was comfortable and clean, and the procedure and medicine Arumi needed were available. Here, Arumi was treated by dr. Radityo Prakoso, Sp.JP (K), a cardiologist who cares for congenital heart disease.

For her mother, the purpose of the procedure was simple and clear. “It's so that she won't be short of breath anymore, her activities go smoothly, and school is fine too,” she said. She felt that every step of the journey was made easier, even though she had doubts at first.

Undergoing PDA Closure

Arumi underwent PDA closure, a procedure to close the channel that had stayed open. She was startled at first by the medical equipment in the procedure room, but she felt calmer because the nurses looking after her were kind. While the procedure was under way, the family waited nervously until, about an hour later, the good news came. The worry that had weighed on the family from the start gave way to calm.

At the time of filming, Arumi said her breathing felt freer, lighter, and clearer. Her mother encourages other parents not to be afraid or hesitant to take steps for their child's health, and to keep faith that God will show the way. “Our children want to live healthy lives and breathe freely like we do. So we have to keep moving forward,” she said.