Imagine holding your breath for two minutes. Now imagine that happening to a two-year-old during a seizure. That’s exactly what happened to Briar Curtis in April 2025, and it’s a story that highlights the incredible power of medical science to save lives. But here’s where it gets controversial: the technology that saved her wasn’t just a lucky breakthrough—it was the result of years of research that some might argue is underfunded or overlooked. Could more lives be saved if we prioritized this kind of research? Let’s dive in.
Briar’s health struggles began even before she was born. Her heart rate in the womb was erratic and dangerously high. After birth, she lost weight at an alarming rate and experienced frequent seizures. Her mother, Lateishia Curtis, lived in constant fear, never leaving Briar alone for even a moment. But the worst was yet to come. During that fateful seizure in April 2025, Briar’s heart stopped for two agonizing minutes. Lateishia’s quick CPR brought her back, but it was clear something was terribly wrong. After a brief hospital stay, Briar remained lethargic, unable to sit up, and visibly unwell.
And this is the part most people miss: tucked inside Briar’s chest was a tiny device, a loop recorder, implanted a year earlier. This unassuming gadget, about the size of a pen cap, continuously monitored her heart activity—and it was about to become her lifeline. Loop recorders are rarely used in toddlers, but Briar’s case was anything but ordinary. Her cardiologist, Dr. Martin Tristani-Firouzi, a researcher at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, had been studying the genetics of sudden death in young people. His groundbreaking work revealed a surprising link between severe epilepsy and heart problems—a connection that would prove crucial for Briar.
Tristani-Firouzi’s research showed that children who died suddenly often had genetic mutations related not only to heart issues but also to severe epilepsy. This discovery led him to recommend the loop recorder for Briar, a decision that would later save her life. When the device alerted clinicians to her heart stopping, Tristani-Firouzi didn’t hesitate. He called Lateishia immediately: ‘Pack your bags. We need to admit Briar and implant a pacemaker. This is too dangerous to wait.’
The surgery, performed by pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Reilly Hobbs, was a success. Briar’s pacemaker now ensures her heart will keep beating, even if it stops again. Hobbs credits Tristani-Firouzi’s research for making this possible. ‘Without that evidence-based approach, Briar wouldn’t have gotten a pacemaker,’ he says. ‘Research is the backbone of what we do.’
Today, Briar is thriving. Lateishia describes her as ‘a whole different child.’ She’s enrolled in preschool, full of energy, and enjoying life in ways her family once thought impossible. ‘It’s like everything she’s missed for so long is finally here,’ Lateishia says. But Briar’s story raises a critical question: How many more children could benefit from similar research? And are we doing enough to support it?
Here’s where the debate heats up: While Briar’s recovery is a testament to the power of science, it also underscores the gaps in our healthcare system. Why aren’t more young patients monitored with devices like loop recorders? And how can we ensure that life-saving research gets the funding and attention it deserves? Lateishia’s answer is clear: ‘Without this research, Briar wouldn’t be here.’ But what do you think? Is enough being done to prioritize research that could save countless lives? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep this conversation going.
