Back
Cardiothoracic Surgery
The Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery works closely with the Section of Cardiology to provide comprehensive care for neonates, infants, children and adolescents with congenital and acquired heart disease. Evaluation of pediatric patients with heart problems is provided by St. Christopher's cardiologists at the Heart Center for Children and at a network of specialty care centers. Consultation with a cardiac surgeon, who is recognized throughout the region for providing excellent care to children with heart disease, is available 24 hours a day. Surgical correction of pediatric cardiovascular abnormalities and complex cardiovascular malformations of newborns and young infants is provided by an expert surgical team.
A multidisciplinary approach involving cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, nurse practitioners, critical care physicians, anesthesiologists, nurses and social workers helps to meet the needs of patients and their families. Patients are treated for a broad spectrum of cardiac diseases including:
- Complex heart malformations such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, transposition of the great arteries, or interrupted aortic arch in neonates
- Single ventricle anomalies
- Complex forms of tetralogy of Fallot and atrioventricular canal defects
- Valvular heart disease needing either valve repair or replacement. When possible a patient’s own tissue is used for valve repair or replacement (Ross operation). Alternatively other types of tissue valves may be used to eliminate the need for anticoagulation or “blood thinners”
- Heart rhythm disorders requiring pacemakers, implantable defibrillators or surgical treatment
- Lung disorders related to congenital heart disease
Collaboration with interventional cardiologists in the Heart Center for Children allows many children with congenital heart anomalies to be treated without surgery, or with less surgery than would otherwise be necessary. Our team of cardiologists and surgeons perform a combination of traditional surgery and interventional techniques as “hybrid” approaches for the treatment of complex pulmonary artery reconstruction, closure of multiple ventricular septal defects and the palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Minimally invasive surgical techniques are performed, with the emphasis on patient safety first, and on cosmetics second.
Peri-operative care of cardiothoracic patients is provided in a dedicated Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) that is staffed by skilled nurses and managed by cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and critical care physicians 24 hours-a-day. The emphasis is on patient- and family-centered care, so family participation is encouraged and families are welcome to visit at all hours. Parents and family members from a distance may be accommodated in the Ronald McDonald House, adjacent to the main hospital facility.
For more information, call 215-427-5109.
Meet the Team
St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia has a highly qualified team of board-certified experts who are specially trained to work with the individual and unique needs of infants and pediatric patients.
Our team is led by Achintya Moulick MD, MS, MCh, Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
