Dr. Jenn Thornton Joins Parents Working With Boston Children’s Hospital

BUNNELL, Fla. - Aug. 28, 2014 - PRLog -- Bunnell, FL - Dr. Jenn Thornton, owner of Palm Coast Chiropractic Center, has joined 20 other parents (and growing) who are working with the pediatric cardiologists from Boston Children’s Hospital to get the Melody® valve approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).

The Melody® valve was designed for the pulmonary position, but over the last four years it has been used to replace severe failing mitral valves in children. The melody valve does not require traditional blood thinners like Coumadin or frequent blood draws. It also decreases the amount of open heart surgeries, because the Melody® valve can be ballooned in a catheterization lab. These are just two tremendous benefits for a child with congenital heart disease.

At 17-months-old, Dr. Thornton's son was diagnosed with Shone’s Complex, a multi heart valve defect. “As you can imagine, this is a matter very close to me, said Dr. Thornton. "No one suggested the Melody® valve when Cooper was diagnosed, I found it when I was doing research on his condition," she added. Dr. Thornton said that it has helped Cooper tremendously, to the point of saving his life. The valve also decreases pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure). "If we can educate people and get the technology approved, it could save millions of other children’s lives,” Dr. Thornton added. She also said that Cooper, now 4-years-old, had a recent check-up and is doing very well.

The group wants to help encourage Medtronic (the maker of the Melody® valve) and the FDA to help design and modify the valve to meet the needs of an infant with severe mitral valve disease. This is important, because there are no other valves small enough for these infants. This valve would save their lives. Most mechanical valves are not small enough for infants and may also have other complications associated.

The group is asking for signatures on a petition available on http://melodyvalve.org/ to urge the FDA to approve the value. Their goal is to help other children and educate families about this innovative valve.

Palm Coast Chiropractic Center offers Chiropractic care for children and adults. They also offer Massage Therapy, Cox Flexion Distraction Therapy and nutritional guidance. They can be reached at 386-437-7111, or online at www.PCChiropracticCenter.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Palm.Coast.Chiropractic.Center.