Pediatric heart surgery

Pediatric heart care in Denver

We understand that when your child needs heart surgery, it can be one of the most challenging experiences for your family. The pediatric heart surgeons within Rocky Mountain Pediatric Specialists' family of providers are committed to providing expert, around-the-clock care when your child needs it most.

Our comprehensive pediatric heart surgery services are tailored to the unique needs of our young patients in a child-friendly environment. Our surgeons work with you, your pediatrician or pediatric cardiologist to create a treatment plan that best fits your child's need.

To learn more about our heart surgery program, please call (720) 475-8730.

Pediatric heart conditions we treat

Our pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons treat a wide range of congenital heart disorders including:

• Anomalous coronary artery — This is a condition where a newborn's left coronary artery is attached to the pulmonary artery instead of the aorta.
• Anamalous pulmonary venous return — This is a condition that shows the main arteries carrying blood to the heart from the lungs are not connected correctly.
• Aortic arch anomalies — These congenital heart defects are varying types of malformations in the aortic arch.
• Aortic coarctation — A congenital heart defect pertaining to a narrowed aorta, which forces the heart to work harder to pump blood to the rest of the body.
• Aortic stenosis — This is a birth defect characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve.
• Atrial septal defect — This is a condition where there is a hole in the wall of the heart's upper chamber.
• Atrioventricular canal defect — This is a newborn diagnosis for a hole in the wall of the heart's upper chamber and a problem with the valves that control blood flow.
• Double outlet right ventricle — This is a condition found in newborns where the aorta and pulmonary artery both connect to the heart's right ventricle.
• Hypoplastic left heart syndrome — This congenital condition occurs when parts of the left side of the heart do not develop correctly.
• Interrupted aortic arch — This is a congenital birth defect that shows a portion of the aorta missing.
• Patent ductus arteriosus — This birth defect occurs when an opening between the aorta and pulmonary artery does not close shortly after birth.
• Pulmonary atresia — This congenital condition shows that the pulmonary valve has not formed, making it difficult for blood to flow to the lungs to get reoxygenated.
• Pulmonary stenosis — This is a congenital heart defect where an obstruction in or on the pulmonary artery restricts blood flow.
• Pulmonary valve stenosis — This is a newborn heart defect that is an obstruction on or near the pulmonary valve that restricts blood flow.
• Single ventricle anomalies — This is a birth condition where one chamber of the lower heart isn't large enough or strong enough, effectively leaving a single ventricle.
• Tetralogy of Fallot — This condition is a combination of four problems that include a hole in the heart's lower chamber wall, a narrowing of the pulmonary artery, an enlarged aortic valve that allows blood flow from both sides of the heart and a thickened muscle wall in the heart's lower right side.
• Transposition of the great arteries — This newborn heart defect is a diagnosis that shows the two main arteries (aorta and pulmonary) are reversed and not connected to the heart properly.
• Tricuspid atresia — This newborn diagnosis shows that the infant was born without the tricuspid valve that controls blood flow from the upper right chamber to the lower right chamber of the heart.
• Truncus arteriosus — This birth condition shows the aorta and the pulmonary arteries have failed to develop in the womb. The condition results in one single artery that carries blood away from the heart instead of two.
• Vascular ring — This is a diagnosis where a newborn has an abnormally formed aorta that makes a ring around the trachea and esophagus. The diagnosis also applies when the blood vessels form a ring around the trachea and esophagus. Both diagnoses put pressure on the airway.
• Ventricular septal defect — This diagnosis shows a hole in the wall of the lower chamber of a newborn's heart.

Pediatric heart procedures we perform

Our experienced pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons are skilled in properly diagnosing and effectively treating both common and complex issues. Some of the diagnostic and surgical heart procedures we perform include:

• Cardiac catheterization (cardiac cath)
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Computed tomography (CT) angiograpy (display of blood network around the heart and heart structure)
• Open heart surgery
• Shunt placement
• Valve repair or replacement
• Vascular ring surgery

To provide your child with the highest quality, most comprehensive care, in certain cases our team partners with other pediatric surgeons within our network who specialize in neonatal surgery and/or minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive procedures are done through very small incisions, reducing pain and scarring and providing a quicker recovery.

Multidisciplinary pediatric cardiology partnership

Additionally, our surgeons offer access to a comprehensive range of advanced services through our partnership with Rocky Mountain Pediatric Heart Center at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center. Through our partnership, your child will have access to advanced support services, critical care monitoring and additional pediatric heart specialists.

Support services for families

As a family member, you may find it helpful to connect with others who have been through a similar experience. You can take advantage of our heart support program for families and caregivers of children with congenital heart disorders. We partner with Mended Little Hearts of Denver to help families build a wide network of support resources.

There are many ways to connect:

• Internet or phone call support
• In-person visits (during your child's hospital stay)
• Health information awareness and education events
• Social gatherings