Teenager Makes UK Medical History With Dissolvable Heart Implant

A 14-year-old girl from Warrington has become the first patient in the UK to receive a dissolvable heart implant designed to close a hole in the heart. The innovative procedure gives doctors a new option for treating a condition known as an atrial septal defect, while potentially allowing young patients to avoid having a permanent metal device placed inside the heart.

Lillie Yale underwent the procedure in June at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool. Doctors used a device called Memosorb, which is designed to provide temporary support while the heart’s own tissue heals. Unlike traditional metal implants, the new device is gradually broken down by the body.

The procedure is particularly significant for Lillie because she hopes to pursue rugby professionally. A permanent metal implant could have created concerns about taking part in a high-impact sport. The dissolvable alternative was intended to give her heart time to heal while eventually leaving no permanent implant behind.

What Is an Atrial Septal Defect?

An atrial septal defect, commonly shortened to ASD, is a hole in the wall that separates the heart’s two upper chambers. The condition can vary in size and severity, and some people may have few or no obvious symptoms for years.

According to the information provided by the hospital team, ASD affects approximately one to two babies in every 1,000. Smaller defects may sometimes go unnoticed until later in life because they can cause fewer symptoms.

Lillie was diagnosed with ASD after being born prematurely at 33 weeks. She continued to have regular medical check-ups, but she did not develop noticeable symptoms for some time.

In January 2025, medical tests showed that the right side of her heart had become enlarged. Doctors determined that the defect needed to be addressed and initially discussed fitting her with an implant within two years.

Her mother, Becci Nichols, wanted the treatment to take place sooner so that the procedure would cause as little disruption as possible to her daughter's education and other activities.

A Different Approach to Heart Repair

Traditional devices used to close an ASD are often made from metal. These implants can remain in the body permanently, with heart tissue eventually growing around them.

Memosorb takes a different approach. The device is made from biomedical polymers, materials that are also used in products such as dissolvable stitches.

Rather than remaining permanently in the heart, the implant acts as a temporary framework. According to Dr Salim Jivanji, a consultant paediatric cardiologist at Alder Hey, tissue gradually grows over the structure while the polymer slowly breaks down.

The material is expected to dissolve into carbon dioxide and water within the tissue. Over time, the device disappears as the body continues the healing process.

Dr Jivanji said the expected timeframe for the implant to disappear completely is approximately six to 24 months. Once the process is complete, doctors expect the area to resemble a normal septum without the original hole.

This approach could be especially useful for younger patients, although the procedure remains a new development and requires specialist assessment.

Why the Treatment Mattered to Lillie

For Lillie, one of the biggest concerns surrounding conventional treatment was her passion for rugby.

Doctors told her that a permanent metal device could have prevented her from continuing to play the sport. High-impact activity can place mechanical stress on an implanted device, and there can be concerns about the implant becoming displaced before the heart has fully healed.

Lillie was determined to continue playing.

Following the procedure, she has been able to return to activities that are important to her. Her mother said that Lillie has already played rugby again, completed a 5k event and visited Alton Towers.

For the teenager, the treatment has meant being able to move forward without constantly worrying about how a permanent implant might affect her ambitions.

Lillie described herself as very happy that the procedure was completed and said she was proud to have been the first person in the UK to receive this type of implant.

A Special Licence Was Required

The procedure was not part of routine treatment. Alder Hey secured a special licence from the medicines regulator before using Memosorb for Lillie.

That detail highlights the early stage of the technology. Although the concept offers potential advantages, the device is still a relatively new approach and its use requires specialist medical judgement.

Lillie is continuing to attend follow-up appointments every few months so doctors can monitor how her heart is responding and how the implant is progressing.

Her mother has described her recovery as going extremely well. She said her daughter has returned to her normal activities and is once again heavily involved in rugby.

The family also expressed their appreciation for the medical staff involved in the treatment. According to Lillie’s mother, the cardiology team and nurses provided considerable support throughout the process.

What This Could Mean for Future Patients

The successful UK use of a dissolvable heart implant represents an interesting development in paediatric cardiology.

Permanent implants can be effective, but the prospect of leaving a metal device inside the heart may raise particular concerns for some young patients. A temporary scaffold that supports healing and then disappears could offer an alternative in carefully selected cases.

The potential benefit is not simply that the device dissolves. Its purpose is to give the body's own tissue time to close the defect and rebuild the affected area.

However, it is important not to view one successful procedure as proof that the technology will be suitable for every patient with an ASD. Treatment decisions depend on factors such as the size and location of the defect, the patient's overall health and the judgement of specialist medical teams.

Lillie's case is therefore significant both because of her individual recovery and because it demonstrates how medical teams are exploring new approaches to treating heart conditions in children.

The Alder Hey team described the procedure as the result of extensive discussion and collaboration between specialists. Dr Jivanji emphasised that medical innovation often depends on a large team working together to assess complex cases and determine whether a new treatment can be used safely.

For Lillie, the outcome so far has been encouraging. She has returned to many of the activities she enjoys, including rugby, while continuing to receive medical monitoring.

As research and clinical experience develop, dissolvable implants could become an area of increasing interest in the treatment of certain heart conditions. For now, Lillie's procedure marks an important first step in the UK and offers an example of how emerging medical technology can be used to address the needs of individual patients.

Source

The Independent on 28 August 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. The details describe one patient's case and should not be taken to mean that a dissolvable heart implant is appropriate for everyone with an atrial septal defect. Anyone seeking medical advice should consult a qualified healthcare professional.