Louisiana's first Renata Minima stent restores healthy blood flow, giving toddler with congenital heart defect a brighter future

Like many active toddlers, Key'Oir Collins is always on the move. She loves reading books, singing songs from her favorite shows, playing with her cousins, and chasing after the family's dogs. She can count to 10, recite her ABCs, and keep her mother, Karlisha Collins, constantly on her toes. 

That's why Karlisha—a pharmacy technician and student at Louisiana State University Eunice—was stunned when what seemed like a routine trip to the emergency room uncovered a serious congenital heart defect that had gone undetected since birth. 

"I was shocked," Karlisha said. "She was such an active little girl. I never imagined there could be something wrong with her heart." 

Emergency room visit leads to diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta 

Karlisha’s pregnancy and Key’Oir’s birth had been uneventful. During pregnancy, one ultrasound could not provide a clear view of her heart, prompting a follow-up evaluation. Specialists found no concerns, and Key’Oir was born full term in October 2023, near the family’s home in Zachary, Louisiana. 

Nearly two years later, Key’Oir developed a high fever and flu-like symptoms. In the emergency department, doctors ordered a chest X-ray to check for signs of respiratory distress. Instead, they noticed something unexpected: cardiomegaly, an enlarged heart. 

An echocardiogram revealed severe coarctation of the aorta, a congenital heart defect in which part of the aorta is abnormally narrowed. The aorta is the body’s largest artery, and it carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When it narrows, the heart must work harder to push blood through the restricted area. 

Some children are diagnosed shortly after birth. Others, especially those with few or no symptoms, may not be diagnosed until later in childhood. 

“I almost couldn’t believe my ears when they told me,” Karlisha said. “They explained it was serious. I cried for two days. She had to stay overnight in the hospital, and it was a really emotional time for me and my mom.” 

Renata Minima stent offers a minimally invasive treatment option 

Following the diagnosis, Key'Oir was referred to pediatric heart specialists at Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans. 

To better understand the anatomy of the narrowing aorta, doctors performed advanced CT imaging. The scans created a detailed three-dimensional picture of her heart and blood vessels, which gave the team a clear roadmap for treatment. 

The scans showed Key'Oir was an ideal candidate for the Renata Minima stent. Unlike traditional stents originally developed for adults, the Renata Minima stent was designed specifically for infants and young children with congenital heart disease. This innovative, minimally invasive device can be implanted through a catheter and expanded over time as a child grows, helping restore healthy blood flow while potentially reducing the need for more invasive surgeries in the future. 

Alexandru Firan, MD, a pediatric interventional cardiologist at Manning Family Children's, had previously performed the procedure elsewhere, but this would be the first time the Renata Minima stent was implanted in Louisiana. 

During the consultation, Dr. Firan carefully walked Karlisha through every step of the procedure. 

"He brought out a model and showed me exactly what the stent looked like," Karlisha said. "He broke everything down step by step and explained how he would place it. I really felt like my daughter was in excellent hands." 

Why the Renata Minima stent is changing pediatric heart care 

According to Dr. Firan, the Renata Minima stent represents an important advancement in pediatric heart care in Louisiana because it was designed specifically for growing children. 

"Many stents available for congenital heart interventions were adapted from devices originally developed for adults," Dr. Firan said. "The Renata Minima stent was engineered specifically for pediatric patients. It can be implanted in very small blood vessels and later expanded as a child grows, providing a treatment option designed specifically for growing children rather than adapting adult technology." 

For children with coarctation of the aorta, the stent restores healthy blood flow while reducing strain on the heart. Because it can be expanded later through another minimally invasive procedure, many children may avoid more extensive surgeries as they grow. 

Qualifying for the procedure also meant Key’Oir could avoid open-heart surgery altogether, a rel. 

"Dr. Firan reassured me, saying my baby was a perfect candidate for this special stent procedure," Karlisha said. 

Advanced pediatric heart care backed by compassionate support  

Even with confidence in the medical team, Karlisha worried about every possible outcome. "I'm an overthinker," she said. "I was thinking about everything that could happen." 

The moment they arrived at Manning Family Children's, Karlisha said her fears began to ease. 

"The nurses were amazing," she said. "When they came to take her back to have the stent implanted, one of the nurses hugged me. That meant so much because I was so nervous." 

Key'Oir was supported by an entire family of "prayer warriors." The hospital also enrolled Karlisha in Vocera, a communication app that provided real-time updates throughout the procedure. 

"I knew what was happening every step of the way, and that was so calming," Karlisha said. "We had expected to be waiting for up to three hours, and that app kept us informed." 

Just one hour after Key'Oir was taken into the procedure room, Dr. Firan walked out with good news. 

"He showed us the before-and-after pictures," Karlisha said. "We could see where the stent was placed. He was smiling when he was talking to me, and that made me feel so relieved." 

On May 22, 2026, Key'Oir became the first child in Louisiana to receive a Renata Minima stent. She came through like a champ, stayed on night for observation, and went home the next day. The milestone expands access to advanced congenital heart care for families across Louisiana and the Gulf South, without the need to travel out of state. 

"Our goal is always to bring the most innovative and effective therapies to children in our region," Dr. Firan said. "Being able to offer this technology here means families may no longer have to travel out of state to receive specialized congenital heart care." 

Back to being a happy, active toddler 

Today, Key’Oir is back to singing, reading, playing with her cousins and keeping her mom on her toes. For Karlisha, what began as one of the scariest moments of her life became a story of faith and healing. 

“I want to thank everyone at Manning Family Children’s,” she said. “They really made me worry less and made the whole situation easier for my baby and me.” 

Karlisha is also grateful to the staff at Ronald McDonald House, who gave her family a comfortable place to stay during a stressful time. 

“When the time comes for Key’Oir’s next procedure, we won’t be going anywhere else but Manning Family Children’s,” she said. “I know she’ll be in very good hands.” 

Leading the way in Pediatric Heart Care 

The Heart Center at Manning Family Children's provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients with congenital cardiovascular disorders, from before they are born, through childhood and into their adult years. Our accomplished and dedicated team includes physicians, surgeons, nurses and support staff who are specially trained to meet the unique needs of children with congenital and acquired heart disease and to support their families every step of the way. The goal of The Heart Center is to enhance the quality of life for every child.  

The Heart Center is committed to advancing pediatric heart care through the use of innovative and expert evidence-based practices, with a dedicated team of experts providing compassionate and personalized care for the most complex heart conditions. 

Learn more about the Pediatric Heart Center at Manning Family Children’s: https://www.manningchildrens.org/services/heart-center/