Pediatric Heart 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 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. 

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.