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:
- Electrocardiogram
- Echocardiogram
- Dobutamine stress MRI
- Dobutamine stress echocardiogram
- CT scan
- Exercise testing
- Cardiac catheterization
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