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Pediatric Heart Surgery

Pediatric Heart Surgery & CHD Treatment Options

Our pediatric heart surgery program at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital provides state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options for patients with all forms of congenital heart disease (CHD) or structural heart problems beginning at or before birth.

Our program provides comprehensive cardiac care for patients of all ages, from newborns to adults. We advocate correction of complex congenital heart defects before birth, whenever safely possible. All procedures are performed under epidural anesthesia using a minimally invasive or percutaneous approach through the mother’s abdomen with ultrasound guidance. And, for those children who undergo corrective cardiac surgery in the first year after birth, University Hospitals offers the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Initiative (CaNDI), which provides ongoing developmental assessments and therapies to ensure these children reach the appropriate milestones as they grow.

We’ve partnered with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to advance pediatric and adult congenital heart care services to provide access to the most advanced technology, leading research and combined expertise of the top pediatric heart surgeons and heart specialists in the nation.

pediatric heart surgery

Ohio’s Most Advanced Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization and Surgical Suites

The most advanced imaging system available worldwide gives UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital the state’s leading hybrid operating capabilities. Cutting-edge technology in our advanced hybrid catheterization and surgical suites means our expert team can more efficiently perform the most complex interventional cardiac catheterization procedures, complicated bypass surgeries and minimally invasive hybrid procedures.

One of the most important patient benefits to our unique design is our radiation dose reduction technology, including a dose tracking system, for improved patient safety. In addition, this advanced technology allows our team to combine previous cardiac CT or MRI imaging to review 3-D assessments without additional radiation exposure.


Specialized Treatment for Congenital Heart Defects

If your child has a congenital heart defect (CHD), surgery may be necessary during the first few years or even days of life.

Using open heart surgery or a hybrid procedure approach with interventional cardiology, our team provides a range of surgical treatments and the surgical correction of any heart issue, including:

For patients with a single ventricle defect, we are widely recognized for our leadership in staged palliation for univentricular hearts, such as for hypoplastic left heart syndrome and tricuspid atresia.

In addition, our team provides specialized care such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), ventricular assist devices or pediatric heart transplant for the most complex cases.


Decades of Pediatric Heart Surgery Experience

Our pediatric heart surgeons are board-certified in both congenital cardiac surgery and thoracic cardiovascular surgery. This specialization includes the surgical treatment of disorders of the heart and great vessels. Our surgical team has more than 30 years of experience caring for patients with congenital heart disease and includes pediatric heart surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiovascular perfusionists and nurse practitioners.

In addition, our holistic approach to care addresses not only cardiac needs but also developmental, nutritional and psychosocial challenges. Our single team approach allows us to deliver superior care that is fully integrated across all clinical areas and throughout the patient’s care journey.