Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

Conditions We Treat

Treatments and Services

Advancing the standard of care for pediatric heart conditions

Our team is pioneering research that can help children of all ages receive life-saving treatment. We are currently focusing on ventricular assistive devices (VADs) for infants, improving surgical and treatment outcomes and promoting positive development in children who undergo heart surgery.

Surgery for the smallest patients

We offer care for the smallest patients – sometimes before they are even born. We work closely with obstetricians, fetal maternal specialists and, when necessary, neonatologists to deliver the care your child needs in utero or soon after birth. Our team is here for you and your child. We’ll answer your questions, guide you through what to expect and perform the surgery your child needs to address congenital heart conditions.

Heart surgeries we perform

Our surgical team is committed to offering care to children of any age with heart conditions that range from straightforward to complex. With three operating rooms dedicated to heart surgery, we’re ready to deliver the care your child needs as quickly as possible – day or night, 365 days a year, including:

Heart valve repair and replacement

Surgery may be needed to fix leaking or damaged valves in your child’s heart, which can be caused by conditions like:

My husband and I went to interview the surgeon – he sat down with us for a full hour. That was special to us and I appreciated that he was so cognizant that our whole life was in his hands.
Chelsey, Patient Parent

Atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) repairs

Our team is experienced in several surgical approaches to close any holes in the walls separating the upper or lower chambers of your child’s heart.

Reconstructive Surgeries

Reconstructive surgical procedures - including the Norwood operation, bi-directional Glenn procedure and the Fontan procedure - are used to modify the shape of your child's heart to help correct blood flow issues caused by conditions like:

Surgeries to improve blood flow

Certain surgeries are used to improve blood flow through arteries and veins in or attached to the heart. Problems with blood flow can be caused by many conditions, including:

Artificial hearts and heart transplant

Your child’s diseased or damaged heart may be replaced with a healthy donor heart with a heart transplant. A man-made artificial heart (SynCardia) may be used as a temporary replacement while your child waits for a healthy donor heart.

These devices, implanted surgically, help your child’s heart beat in a regular, predictable pattern. They are typically used in children with advanced heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant.

Surgery for the smallest patients

We offer care for the smallest patients – sometimes before they are even born. We work closely with obstetricians, fetal maternal specialists and, when necessary, neonatologists to deliver the care your child needs in utero or soon after birth. Our team is here for you and your child. We’ll answer your questions, guide you through what to expect and perform the surgery your child needs to address congenital heart conditions.

Heart surgeries we perform

Our surgical team is committed to offering care to children of any age with heart conditions that range from straightforward to complex. With three operating rooms dedicated to heart surgery, we’re ready to deliver the care your child needs as quickly as possible – day or night, 365 days a year, including:

Heart valve repair and replacement

Surgery may be needed to fix leaking or damaged valves in your child’s heart, which can be caused by conditions like:

Atrial septal defect (ASD) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) repairs

Our team is experienced in several surgical approaches to close any holes in the walls separating the upper or lower chambers of your child’s heart.

Reconstructive Surgeries

Reconstructive surgical procedures - including the Norwood operation, bi-directional Glenn procedure and the Fontan procedure - are used to modify the shape of your child's heart to help correct blood flow issues caused by conditions like:

Surgeries to improve blood flow

Certain surgeries are used to improve blood flow through arteries and veins in or attached to the heart. Problems with blood flow can be caused by many conditions, including:

Artificial hearts and heart transplant

Your child’s diseased or damaged heart may be replaced with a healthy donor heart with a heart transplant. A man-made artificial heart (SynCardia) may be used as a temporary replacement while your child waits for a healthy donor heart.

These devices, implanted surgically, help your child’s heart beat in a regular, predictable pattern. They are typically used in children with advanced heart failure who are awaiting a heart transplant.

A new heart restores Carlos’ playful spirit

In the summer of 2020, Carlos received the gift of a lifetime – a new heart. Karla and her husband Johnny are still in awe of what happened that day, just three months after they brought their 3-year-old son Carlos to Children's Health℠.

Smiling through it all: Cade’s story of heart surgery and resilience

Cade was born with Down syndrome and a hole in his heart. From prenatal monitoring to open heart surgery, his doctors in Dallas and Tyler worked together to provide the best care.

A childhood connection leads to a heartfelt career

Erin Hunter, RN, BSN, underwent her first open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot, or TOF for short, when she was just nine months old. She was referred to Children's Medical Center by her physician after her mom noticed she lacked the energy of a typical infant, especially during feedings, and her fingers and lips occasionally turned blue. She would go on to have six additional open heart surgeries by the time she was 11 years old.

A childhood connection leads to a heartfelt career

Erin Hunter, RN, BSN, underwent her first open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot, or TOF for short, when she was just nine months old. She was referred to Children's Medical Center by her physician after her mom noticed she lacked the energy of a typical infant, especially during feedings, and her fingers and lips occasionally turned blue. She would go on to have six additional open heart surgeries by the time she was 11 years old.