Single Ventricle Center of Excellence

The Single Ventricle Center of Excellence offers longitudinal comprehensive treatment for patients born with single ventricle heart defects in an environment that supports the whole family. The complex anatomy of the heart and its chambers makes each single ventricle defect different and each child’s journey unique. Children born with these complex hearts need specialized treatment, evaluation and lifelong follow-up care. Our team cares for patients from before birth through adulthood. We are dedicated to improving patient surgical, medical, neurodevelopmental, and psychosocial outcomes so that our patients can lead meaningful and active lives.

Nationally-Ranked Care

Lurie Children's is ranked 24th in the nation for child cardiology and heart surgery by U.S.News & World Report.

Meet Our Single Ventricle Team

Our Single Ventricle Center of Excellence Team is composed of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with all types of single ventricle physiology. Our center brings together a full range of specialists to help guide you and your family through all components of your child's journey.

Our multidisciplinary team includes clinicians from Cardiovascular Surgery, Cardiology, Clinical Nutrition, Palliative Care and Developmental Therapies. Depending on the needs of each patient, additional referrals are made to a variety of other specialties, including Cardiovascular Genetics, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Immunology, Hematology, Neurology, Psychology, and Social Work. Our team meets weekly to discuss and decide on a care plan for each patient, which allows multiple heart doctors to weigh in on treatment options for your child.

Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons

David S. Winlaw, MD, FRACS

Division Head, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery
Professor of Surgery (Pediatric Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery), Willis J. Potts Chair,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

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

Cardiologists

Kiona Y. Allen, MD

Medical Director, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence
Medical Director, Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit
Co-Director, NICU-Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Meera Keshary, MD

Attending Physician, Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Amy S. Lay, MD

Director, Non-Critical Care Inpatient Cardiology,
Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit
Associate Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Karl Migally, MD

Attending Physician, Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit
Director, Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Fellowship Program
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Amy O'Connor, DO, MSCI

Attending Physician, Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Brian Wolfe, MD

Attending Physician, Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Philip T. Thrush, MD

Medical Director, Heart Failure and Transplantation
Director, Advanced Fellowship in Heart Failure and Transplantation
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Advanced Practice Providers

Michelle M. Steltzer, APRN-NP

Program Coordinator, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence

Cosette Langga, MSN, CPNP-AC

Nurse Practitioner, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence

Nurse Coordinator

Amanda Snyder, MSN, RN, CNL, CPN

Nurse Coordinator, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence

Kimberly Tyk, MSN, RN

Nurse Coordinator, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence

Administrative Assistant

Xilan (Evelynn) Liang

Administrative Assistant, Single Ventricle Center of Excellence

xilliang@luriechildrens.org

Our Patients

We care for patients anywhere along their Single Ventricle journey in a variety of care settings.

Pregnant women who receive a single ventricle disease diagnosis will be followed throughout their pregnancy by our multidisciplinary prenatal team through The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health.
Infants diagnosed with a single ventricle defect are initially cared for in the Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit. Once ready for discharge home, they are closely monitored through our Tele-Interstage Home Monitoring Program and our High Acuity Transition (HeArT) Clinic.
Upon graduation from the Interstage period, infants and toddlers with single ventricle defects either continue with comprehensive follow up care in our HeArT clinic at the main hospital, transition to one of our outreach cardiologists closer to home, or transition to local cardiologists in the community depending on their level of medical complexity and family preference. Our team strives to keep your care close to home whenever possible.
Children and young adults diagnosed with a single ventricle defect following Fontan palliation receive care in our multidisciplinary Single Ventricle Follow-Up Clinic.
As they near adulthood, individuals with single ventricle physiology begin the transition to our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. The bridge between pediatric and adult care helps patients and their families to safely transition and minimizes disruptions in care while helping patients develop independence and gradually learn to take ownership of their own healthcare.

Journey with a Single Ventricle Defect

Single ventricle physiology is typically treated through a series of two or three palliative (non-curative) surgeries in the first few years of life. Children with these heart defects require lifelong cardiac care to ensure they have every opportunity to lead healthy lives as they grow. Unfortunately, many children will require additional operations or cardiac catheter-based procedures, complex testing, multiple hospitalizations, and frequent outpatient follow-up. Our single ventricle team is uniquely equipped to help these patients and their families face these challenges both inside and outside the hospital.

View our Single Ventricle Roadmap

Make an Appointment

Call to make an appointment with our Single Ventricle Center of Excellence.

312.227.8588

Our Location

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

225 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.227.4000

Get Directions

Research & Quality Improvement Initiatives

Our team is passionate about pioneering advancements and improvements in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with single ventricle physiology.

National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC) - multicenter network whose mission is to improve the care and outcome of infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome during the interstage period.
Fontan Outcomes Network – multicenter network whose mission is to improve the functional health, neurodevelopment, and quality of life of individuals living with Fontan physiology
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society (PCICS)
Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Collaborative (CNOC)
Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION)
American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) Roadmap Project

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.

Learn More