MEDICAID NOTICE: Lurie Children’s continues to serve all patients enrolled in Medicaid. As a safety-net hospital, we will continue providing high-quality care to every child who needs us.

The Coronary Artery Anomalies Program at Lurie Children’s is dedicated to the diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of children with coronary artery anomalies.


Conditions We Treat

The congenital coronary anomalies that we treat include:

  • Anomalous Aortic Origin of the Coronary Artery (AAOCA)
  • Single Coronary Artery
  • Anomalous Left or Right Coronary Artery Arising from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA, ARCAPA)
  • Coronary Artery Fistula
  • Myocardial Bridging
  • Coronary Artery Aneurysms
  • Coronary Artery Abnormalities After Congenital Cardiac Surgery 

Specialists

Our team is made up of cardiologists, medical imaging specialists and cardiovascular surgeons.

Cardiologists

Simon Lee, MD, FASE, FSCMR

Medical Director, Kawasaki Disease Program; Medical Director, Coronary Anomalies Program; Attending Physician, Cardiology

Michael R. Carr, MD

Clinical Practice Director and Attending Physician, Cardiology; Program Director, Cardiology Fellowship Program

R. Andrew de Freitas, MD

Attending Physician, Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Nazia Husain, MBBS, MPH

Medical Director, Clinical and Translational Cardiac MRI/CT; Attending Physician, Cardiology

Medical Imaging Specialists

Andrada R. Popescu, MD

Attending Physician, Medical Imaging (Radiology); Section Head, Cardiac Imaging

Cynthia K. Rigsby, MD, FACR

Chair, Department of Medical Imaging (Radiology); Earl J. Frederick Distinguished Professorship in Radiology

Cardiovascular 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

Michael C. Mongé, MD

Surgical Director, Heart Failure/Heart Transplant Program; Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery

Allison B. Davila, MD

Attending Surgeon, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery

What to Expect

Our multidisciplinary team specializes in treating children with anomalous aortic origins of the coronary arteries, guiding families and doctors in determining the best course of care. Each patient undergoes a standardized evaluation, including an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, coronary CT angiography, and dobutamine stress CMR, with additional tests as needed. A specialist will review your child’s medical history, discuss findings, and explain their anatomy using drawings, models, or CT images.

The team collaboratively analyzes test results, symptoms, and medical history to develop personalized recommendations. We use a shared decision-making process to determine if and when surgical intervention is needed.

We also treat a variety of coronary anomalies, such as Kawasaki disease with coronary artery aneurysms, coronary artery fistulas, myocardial bridges, and complications from coronary reimplantation surgery. Our team provides advanced imaging and expert management to ensure the best care for your child.

Common tests and procedures: 

Gathering Data to Help Future AAOCA Patients

Our team is part of a national consortium of pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons who are pooling their data on the outcomes of thousands of AAOCA patients through the support of the Congenital Heart Surgeons’ Society. As more data is collected, these physician-scientists will be able to establish a baseline decision-making model, which will help them predict the best course of treatment for patients, depending on the child’s specific condition and symptoms.

Make an Appointment

We offer several scheduling options for your child's care needs. 

Our Location

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000

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Related Specialties

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.