Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology

Patient Stories | Fletcher and Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation

A Life-Saving Diagnosis and a New Beginning for Baby Fletcher

When Zach and Jordan St. Jean brought their 1-month-old son Fletcher to Cincinnati Children’s Liberty Campus in the summer of 2025, they thought he had a serious but treatable infection.

Fletcher had a fever and was becoming increasingly sick. Doctors determined he had a urinary tract infection caused by E. coli bacteria, and the family expected antibiotics and monitoring would help their newborn recover.

Then everything changed.

“While he was being treated, his heart suddenly stopped,” Zach said.

The medical team immediately began life-saving care. Fletcher experienced ventricular fibrillation, a dangerous heart rhythm that prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively. Because he was already at Cincinnati Children’s when the emergency happened, the care team was able to respond within seconds.

“We were really fortunate that we were already in the hospital when it happened,” Zach said.

After reviving Fletcher, the team transferred him to Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus, where specialists from the Heart Institute worked quickly to understand why a previously healthy infant had suffered cardiac arrest.

Searching for Answers

Doctors performed extensive testing, looking for possible causes. There was no known family history of inherited heart disease, and there was no clear sign that the infection was bad enough to cause such a severe reaction.

Even after treatment, Fletcher continued experiencing dangerous abnormal heart rhythms.

Eventually, specialists diagnosed him with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation—a rare condition that can cause sudden cardiac arrest without warning.

To protect Fletcher from another life-threatening event, doctors determined he needed an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to detect dangerous heart rhythms and deliver a shock to restore a normal heartbeat.

There was just one problem.

Fletcher was only a few weeks old and weighed about 10 pounds.

“These devices are typically designed for adults or much larger children,” said pediatric electrophysiologist Dr. Chad Connor. “There really wasn’t a standard option for a patient this small.”

Using Advanced Technology to Help a Tiny Heart

The Heart Institute team began exploring whether a newer device called an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD) could work for Fletcher.

The device had been used in older children and adults, but never in an infant as small as Fletcher.

To determine whether the procedure was even possible, the team turned to advanced 3D virtual surgical planning technology developed at Cincinnati Children’s.

Using imaging from Fletcher’s CT scan, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Sassan Hashemi created a 3D model of Fletcher’s chest and heart using a set of 3D imaging tools.

The model allowed the team to carefully map how the device and wires could fit safely inside such a tiny body.

“This procedure would not have been possible without the 3D model,” Dr. Connor said. “It allowed us to test different positions and confirm there was enough space.”

The planning helped the team avoid a more invasive open-heart surgery approach that would have required cutting through Fletcher’s breastbone.

Instead, they developed a minimally invasive plan tailored specifically to him.

For Fletcher’s parents, the experience reinforced their trust in the care team.

“They did a really good job educating us,” Zach said. “They explained the options clearly and helped us feel comfortable making decisions.”

A Successful Procedure

In June 2025, when Fletcher was about 6 weeks old, after he had grown a bit, the Heart Institute team performed the procedure.

Doctors implanted the device and battery below Fletcher’s rib cage and carefully positioned the lead wire just beneath his breastbone near the heart.

The surgery was successful. Fletcher became the youngest and smallest child to ever receive an extravascular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (EV-ICD). There’s a page in the medical history books bearing his name.

Just six days later, Fletcher was able to go home.

Today, Fletcher is doing well and keeping up with his siblings.

“You would almost never know he had anything done,” Zach said.

The minimally invasive procedure also means Fletcher avoided a large chest scar and a more difficult recovery associated with traditional open-heart surgery.

His family and medical team can remotely monitor the device while Fletcher continues enjoying everyday childhood activities.

“He can run, swim, bike and play soccer without restriction,” Dr. Connor said.

Innovation That Helps Children

For Fletcher’s family, the experience highlighted the importance of having access to pediatric specialists who combine experience, teamwork and innovation.

From emergency medicine physicians and cardiac ICU teams to imaging experts, surgeons and electrophysiologists, many specialists worked together to create a treatment plan specifically for Fletcher.

“All the nurses, doctors and staff were phenomenal throughout the whole process,” Zach said. “Everybody went above and beyond.”

The case also demonstrated how research and innovation at Cincinnati Children’s can directly improve care for children with complex conditions.

By combining advanced imaging, 3D planning technology and minimally invasive techniques, the Heart Institute team helped give Fletcher a safer treatment option—and a chance to simply be a kid.

For his parents, that means everything.

“We’re just really grateful,” Zach said.

(Published May 2026)