Cardiothoracic Surgery
(414) 266-2070
Overview
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgery is a specialty consisting of the surgical treatment of congenital and acquired abnormalities of the heart and cardiovascular system, lungs and chest wall. Surgeons address the entire spectrum of problems in children of all ages, sizes and maturity levels - from prenatal consultation to adults with congenital heart disease. The surgeons work as part of a multispecialty team consisting of pediatric cardiologists, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric critical care physicians, neonatologists and affiliated pediatric specialist physicians, nurses and other heath care professionals.
Specialty Highlights
- The Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery group is one of the largest in the United States, performing on average more than 700 heart surgeries annually.
- The program's success rates for children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (acknowledged to be the most difficult congenital heart malformation to treat) are among the best in the world.
 James Tweddell, MD, is listed in the 2007-2008 Best Doctors in America® database. The 40,000 U.S. physicians who make the list represent the top 3 to 5 percent of the nation's practing board-certified physicians.
- The cardiothoracic surgeons have the lowest mortality rate for neonates and the lowest mortality rate for the most complex pediatric heart surgery patients among Child Health Corporation of America consortium hospitals.
- The mechanical assist and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) program at Children's Hospital is the most active program in Wisconsin dedicated entirely to children and provides temporary support and/or bridge to transplant for children with cardiopulmonary failure.
Research
- Use of ACE inhibition in infants with single ventricle heart disease (sponsored by the Pediatric Heart Network).
- Trial of the right ventricular vs. modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in infants with single ventricle heart defects undergoing staged reconstruction (sponsored by the Pediatric Heart Network).
- Family stress, coping and outcomes following the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease in a newborn.
- Use of Erythropoietin to reduce ischemic injury in pediatric cardiac surgery.
- Use of parenteral phenoxybenzamine in infants and children during surgery for congenital heart disease.
- Neurodevelopmental outcomes and postoerative hemodynamics in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Team
Cardiothoracic Surgery supports one of the nation's top programs for medical and surgical treatments of congenital heart defects and pediatric heart disease. In addition to the full complement of cardiac reconstructive operations, mechanical circulatory assistance and cardiopulmonary transplantation also are performed. The cardiothoracic surgeons have realized some of the best results worldwide for treating the most complex heart disease such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Prenatal consults and second opinion services also are provided.
- Click here to view a listing of cardiothoracic surgeons, including their specialties and bios.
Programs & Clinics
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