Advocate Children's Medical Group Pediatric Cardiology

The cardiac surgery program at Advocate Children's Hospital is the largest in the state of Illinois, and is one of the most active programs in the country.

We provide comprehensive care for children with congenital or acquired heart disease requiring surgical intervention, as well as care to adults with congenital heart disease.

Surgical procedures performed at Advocate Children's Hospital cover the entire spectrum, from the simplest to the most complex pediatric cardiac conditions. Our esteemed cardiovascular surgeons are experienced in the following cardiac surgeries:

• Complex cardiac surgery: Surgery for complex lesions in children from infancy and beyond including innovative approaches that aim to give the child a long-lasting result and promotion of subsequent normal growth and development.


• Complex hybrid procedures: Surgeons work in tandem with our cardiac interventionalists to perform complex procedures that prove to be less invasive and safer for select patients, highlighting the Heart Institute's team approach.


• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO): Support of the failing heart and lung with ECMO is used when other medical therapies have failed. It allows the heart and lungs to recover from acute failure and prepare the patient for improved recovery or cardiac transplantation, an alternative treatment modality, if the heart does not recover.


• Neonatal cardiac surgery: Newborns with complex lesions, such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), truncus arteriosus, total anomalous pulmonary venous return, and various types of transposition of the great arteries are routinely treated. Primary repair is usually performed to avoid multiple procedures, regardless of weight and age. Early and accurate diagnosis before the baby is born contributes to our excellent surgical results.


• Adult congenital heart surgery: As many patients with congenital heart disease are living to older ages, additional complex surgical palliations are needed. Our team provides comprehensive surgical interventions and post-operative recovery for this growing population of patients.


• Reconstructive surgery for congenital tracheal abnormalities and chest wall deformities.