cordis

Described by experts as "one of a kind", Vanellope had three operations to place her heart back in her chest due to an extremely rare condition called ectopia cordis.

Carrying out all of the procedures at once, on a patient with ectopia cordis, has never been done in this country before, the team says.

Ectopia cordis affects only a few cases per million births - and Vanellope was given a less than 10% chance of survival.

Hamlin’s heart stopped as a result of commotio cordis, which happens when a direct blow at a specific point in a heartbeat causes cardiac arrest.

His heart stopped due to commotio cordis, which happens when a direct blow at a specific point in a heartbeat causes cardiac arrest.