Pediatric & Congenital Heart Surgery
As the only program of its kind in Illinois outside of Chicago, we offer specialized surgery for heart defects in infants, children and even adults born with congenital heart conditions. With a focus on early, complete repair of congenital heart defects, patients and their families are supported every step of the way through leading-edge technologies and compassionate care.
What is congenital heart surgery?
Congenital heart surgery is a specialized type of surgery used to correct heart defects that are present from birth. The goal of congenital heart surgery is to improve heart function, enhance quality of life and save lives.
Cardiothoracic Surgical Procedures
Our pediatric and congenital heart surgery team is skilled in a wide range of cardiothoracic procedures, including but not limited to:
- Arterial switch operation
- ASD and VSD repair (Atrial and Ventricular Septal Defects)
- AV (Atrioventricular) canal repair
- Coarctation of the aorta repair
- Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries repair
- Coronary artery anomaly repair
- Double outlet right ventricle repair
- Ebstein’s anomaly repair
- Glenn and Fontan procedures
- Hybrid Norwood for hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Interrupted aortic arch repair
- Myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Patent ductus arteriosus ligation
- TAPVC repair (Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection)
- Truncus arteriosus (TA) repair
- Valve repair and replacement
- Vascular ring repair
Your Congenital Heart Surgical Team
Our surgical care team consists of American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) board certified congenital heart surgeons and a highly specialized operating room team. The team includes pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, pediatric cardiac perfusionists and dedicated operating room staff. We perform surgical procedures in our state-of-the-art operating rooms that are equipped with the latest surgical technology.
Planning for Surgery
Each surgical procedure is planned with precision based on the unique needs of your child and their heart defect. We use the latest technology, including VR (virtual reality) imaging, to accurately define complex heart defects and plan the best surgical procedures for our patients.
Preparation for surgery includes:
- Consultation with your child’s surgeon
- Education with the nurse practitioner and nurse
- Preoperative testing
- Meeting with your child’s anesthesiologist
We understand that preparing for heart surgery can be overwhelming. Our compassionate and caring team will help you every step of the way.
Care After Surgery
After surgery, your child will be cared for in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A team of specialized critical care intensivists and advanced practice providers provide care 24 hours a day.
Adult patients are cared for in the adult cardiac intensive care unit.
This multidisciplinary team approach includes collaboration between heart surgeons, cardiologists, critical care intensivists, advanced practice providers, critical care nurses and other health care professionals to optimize and provide excellent care after surgery.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
ECMO is a life-saving technology used to support your child’s heart and lungs, allowing the body to heal when normal functions are compromised. ECMO is used in critical cases where the heart or lungs need extra time and support to recover.
CHSS Membership
Our heart surgeons and out hospital are active members of the Congenital Heart Surgeons Society (CHSS). This means we participate in research activities to advance the treatment of congenital heart defects, and we attend annual meetings and conferences of this elite national organization.
Congenital Heart Center Outcomes
With over 8,000 successful surgeries, our congenital heart center is here to support your family with experience and expertise you can trust. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, family-centered care focused on the best possible outcomes for your child.
We know that every surgery represents hope and healing for your family, and we’re committed to being by your side throughout the journey.
Talk to Your Doctor
Talk to your child's pediatric cardiologist to see if congenital heart surgery is an option for your child. Need a pediatric cardiologist? Browse our directory.
