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.
Specialized Expertise
Advanced care for infants, children and teens includes specialization in areas such as:
- Aortic valve repair
- Complex biventricular repair
- Heart transplantation
- Lymphatics program
- Pulmonary vein stenosis repair
- Tracheal reconstruction
- Vascular ring repair
- Ventricular assist device placement
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.
Nationally-Ranked Care
We’re honored to be ranked #1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery by Newsweek and nationally ranked in Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery by U.S. News & World Report.
Our Pediatric Heart Surgeons
David S. Winlaw, MD, FRACS
Division Head, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Co-Executive Director, Heart Center; Willis J. Potts, MD Founders’ Board Professorship in Surgery
Allison B. Davila, MD
Attending Surgeon, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery
Michael C. Mongé, MD
Surgical Director, Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program; Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation
Pediatric Heart Conditions We Treat
Our Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery team treats a wide range of pediatric cardiac conditions, including:
- Anomalous aortic origin of coronary artery
- Anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery
- Aortic regurgitation
- Aortic stenosis
- Aortopulmonary window
- Arrhythmia
- Atrial septal defect
- Atrioventricular block
- Atrioventricular septal defect (complete, partial and transitional)
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Cardiomyopathy (dilated and hypertrophic)
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
- Cor triatriatum
- Double inlet left ventricle
- Double outlet right ventricle
- Ebstein’s anomaly
- Heart failure
- Heterotaxy syndrome
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Interrupted aortic arch
- Mitral regurgitation
- Mitral stenosis
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Myocarditis
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Pulmonary atresia: intact ventricular septum
- Pulmonary atresia: ventricular septal defect and major aortoplumonary collateral arteries
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary regurgitation
- Pulmonary stenosis: valvar
- Shone’s syndrome
- Tetralogy of fallot
- Total anomalous pulmonary venous return
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Tricuspid atresia
- Tricuspid regurgitation
- Tricuspid stenosis
- Truncus arteriosus
- Vascular ring: double aortic arch
- Vascular ring: right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery with left ligamentum arteriosum
- Ventricular septal defect
Make an Appointment
Call to make an appointment with our Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery team.
Our Location
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Ave.Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000
Heart Center Family Resource Guide
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.
Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery News & Stories
With a Rare and Serious Diagnosis Before Birth, Aptly Named Baby Hope Defies the Odds
Six-month-old Hope is busy growing up at home – playing with toys, babbling and trying to roll over. For her parents, each routine milestone feels like a little bit of a miracle.
Why Lurie Children's is the Right Choice for Your Child's Heart Transplant
Choosing the right hospital for a child’s heart transplant is one of the most significant decisions a family can make. Our Heart Center team wants to help make this decision easier.
‘She Never Gave Up:’ Jasy’s Heart Health Scare Turns Remarkable Recovery
As a healthy 10-year-old, Adriana didn’t suspect anything serious when her daughter, Jasy, developed a persistent cough. Learning she was in heart failure and would eventually need a transplant began a journey paved with perseverance and persistence.
‘Welcome to Your New Home:’ A Look at the Process of Transporting Hearts
Alexa Tannous, one of the physician assistants (PA) in the Heart Center’s cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, shares these details and more on the integral – and emotional – process of safely transporting these precious organs.
Little Hearts, Big Data, Improving Outcomes
Jordan's Story: A Lurie Children’s Record Recovery Time
Jordan underwent surgery to have a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implanted.