Townsville boy Jacob Painter has third open-heart operation to repair rare defect

A Townsville boy born with a rare heart defect has had his third open-heart surgery in his short lifetime — but it may not be the last.

Townsville boy Jacob Painter, 10, has had three open-heart surgeries after being born with a rare heart defect. Picture: Sarah Painter.

A Townsville boy born with a rare heart defect has had his third open-heart surgery in his short lifetime — but it may not be the last.

Jacob Painter, 10, lives with Truncus Arteriosus, a congenital heart disease for which there is no cure, requiring high-risk surgeries to stay alive.

Present at birth, Truncus arteriosus is a rare type of heart disease in which a single blood vessel (truncus arteriosus) comes out of the right and left ventricles, instead of the normal 2 vessels (pulmonary artery and aorta). Picture: A.D.A.M.

The disease occurs when the blood vessel coming out of the heart fails to separate completely during development, leaving a connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery.

Jacob had his first life saving operation at two months old and his second at ten months old.

Jacob had his third lifesaving open heart surgery at the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane on October 25.

An eight-hour surgery replaced the severe leaky aortic valve, truncal valve and patched his ventricular septal defect, with two cow tissues now functioning as valves in his heart.

Jacob’s mum Sarah paid tribute to her son for showing “courage, strength and bravery” that was beyond his years.

“Jacob gave his absolute best while recovering in hospital, even though he was clearly in so much pain. He is a kind, brave, resilient, caring, and sweet boy and we are so proud of him,” Ms Painter said.

Townsville boy Jacob Painter, 10, has had three open-heart surgeries after being born with a rare heart defect. Picture: Sarah Painter.

“It is not something any child should have to face but unfortunately for our Heart kids and their families, it is reality.

“We are so blessed to live in a country where we can get some of the best medical care and these Paediatric Cardiac Surgeons are truly remarkable.”

Unfortunately, there was a complication with an artery which will force Jacob to return to Brisbane in six weeks for a catheter to see if they can stent the artery.

If this is not successful, Jacob will require a fourth open-heart surgery.

In the meantime, Jacob has a big recovery ahead over the coming months and will not be able to return to school for the rest of the year.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath with Paediatric Cardiologist Dr Rosh Samuel at the Townsville University Hospital. Picture: Evan Morgan

Jacob was the Ambassador of the HeartKids Two Feet and a Heartbeat Walk in Townsville in October, to help raise funds and awareness for the HeartKids Charity.

A keen golfer who played in the Rowes Bay Junior Comp every week, Jacob is counting down the days till he can get back out on the golf course.

In a big win for the community, a much-needed Paediatric Cardiologist, Dr Rosh Samuel and his team have recently based themselves at the Townsville University Hospital – caring for more than 800 patients.

Originally published as Townsville boy Jacob Painter has third open-heart operation to repair rare defect