Cardiovascular-thoracic conditions

The majority of patients who require heart surgery have been diagnosed with a form of congenital heart disease; a smaller number have acquired heart disease, which is usually associated with an infection or virus (such as rheumatic fever or Kawasaki disease). Our team works closely with the referring cardiologists to determine the necessity and timing of surgery. However, we also treat a range of non-cardiac conditions including pectus excavatum, vascular rings and tracheal abnormalities. Therefore, pediatricians and family physicians may also refer patients.

The third edition of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery is a textbook for physicians that provides comprehensive coverage of congenital heart surgery and related topics.

Patients and their families are encouraged to meet with the surgeons to review the proposed treatment. The decision to perform surgery is always made in conjunction with a referring physician. The surgeons work closely with their colleagues in cardiology and other specialties to determine pre- and post-surgical plans of care. In addition, bi-weekly conferences are held which provide the medical staff a forum for discussion of treatment options.

These are the most common cardiovascular-thoracic conditions that we treat:

• Arrhythmia
• Atrial septal defect
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Hypoplastic left heart
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Transposition of the great arteries
• Truncus arteriosus
• Ventricular septal defect