Begining at Enloe...

Hayes was being treated in ICU for jaundice and fluid in the lungs (which is pretty common) when Nurse Adrienne discovered what she believed to be a heart murmur. It was such a blessing that she heard something and thought something wasn't right with his coloring... She called in Pediatrician Dr. Stanley, who assessed and ordered a heart ultrasound. When the Ultrasound was completed, they discovered Hayes has coarctation of the aorta. At Enloe, Dr.Stanley ordered Hayes to be transferd by air to Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. He started an IV prep with medications to keep the heart valve open, in order to bypass the area affected by the condition. This is a condition which can be completely corrected by surgery, as a one shot deal. THe outcomes are good, and most often don't need any follow up.

Here is an explanation of Hayes condition from Children's Hospital:

What is Coarctation of the aorta?

When the heart is functioning normally, a large artery called the aorta carries oxygen-rich (red) blood from the left ventricle to the body. It is shaped like a candy cane, with the first section moving up toward the head (ascending aorta), then curving in a C-shape as smaller arteries that are attached to it carry blood to the head and arms (aortic arch). After the curve, the aorta becomes straight again, and moves downward toward the abdomen, carrying blood to the lower part of the body (descending aorta).

Coarctation of the aorta, a congenital (present at birth) defect, occurs when the aorta narrows or becomes pinched. Coarctation can occur anywhere in the aorta, but is most likely to happen in the segment just after the aortic arch. This narrowing restricts the amount of oxygen-rich (red) blood that can travel to the lower part of the body. Varying degrees of narrowing can occur.
The more severe the narrowing, the more symptoms a child will experience, and the earlier the problem will be noticed. In some cases, coarctation is noted in infancy. In others, however, it may not be noted until school-age or adolescence.

Seventy-five percent of children with coarctation of the aorta also have a bicuspid aortic valve -- a valve that has two leaflets instead of the usual three.

Coarctation of the aorta occurs in about 6 to 8 percent of all children with congenital heart disease. Boys have the defect twice as often as girls do.