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Appointments 312.227.4240
Specialties & Conditions Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery
The Division of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery at Lurie Children’s has a long history of pediatric heart surgery going back to 1946 when the first Potts shunt for “blue babies” was performed by Willis J. Potts, then Surgeon-in-Chief at Children’s Memorial Hospital (now Lurie Children’s).
Our three board-certified congenital cardiac surgeons continue in the tradition of Willis Potts, focusing on innovative and exceptional care for newborns, infants, children, and adolescents with congenital or acquired heart defects needing surgery ranging from straightforward procedures to complex repairs. Prior to birth, together with our Fetal Cardiology team, our surgeons are available to meet with parents expecting a new baby with heart concerns. They are also available to meet with parents (or adult patients) for a second opinion regarding recommended surgical options for diagnosed congenital heart defects.
Our surgery team leads the region’s only comprehensive pediatric heart transplant program and the state of Illinois’ only pediatric heart transplant program and ventricular assist device (VAD) program. Their breadth of expertise extends from neonatal repairs such as the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and the arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries, up to and including operations for adults with congenital heart disease. In addition to providing specialized expertise, the surgical team’s leader, Sunjay Kaushal, MD, PhD, pioneers research that explores new effective treatments for the most severe pediatric heart defects.
With strong outcomes, the surgical team is among the leading centers in the nation in congenital heart surgery and pushes the boundaries for surgical treatment options of heart failure rarely offered anywhere else in the world.
Lurie Children’s main hospital is physically connected to Northwestern Medicine and Prentice Women’s Hospital in downtown Chicago, helping ensure a seamless transition of care from childhood into adulthood for our patients.
Advanced care for infants, children and teens includes specialization in areas such as:
Surgeons are supported by a Heart Center team of specially trained pediatric caregivers with experience treating congenital heart disease in children. These specialists include cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac intensivists, advanced practice providers, and perfusionists.
Division Head, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; A.C. Buehler Professorship in Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Director, Vascular Rings Program; Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-thoracic Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Surgical Director, Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program; Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Our Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery team treats a wide range of pediatric cardiac conditions, including:
To contact the Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery team, please call 312.227.4240.
Our Destination Services team is available to help make your experience at Lurie Children's go as smoothly as possible. Learn more.
For families or providers seeking a second opinion, we offer a Priority Second Opinion Clinic.
To help prepare families for their care with Lurie Children's Heart Center, we have compiled a list of resources about treatment and recovery. Learn how to get ready for an inpatient stay or outpatient visit, and read about our support services for patients and families.
