Angie's LIST Guide to
Pediatric cardiac surgery

Pediatric heart surgeons offer surgeries and corrections for a variety of cardiac medical conditions, ranging from holes in the heart chamber, irregular blood vessels and any valve issues. Additionally, pediatric heart surgeons repair heart injuries, regulate heart defects and perform heart and lung transplants.

Pediatric heart surgeons typically perform many types of surgeries, with the following being most widely done:

• The Norwood procedure consists of three surgeries that help reroute blood flow to the heart.
• The Ross procedure treats aortic valve problems.
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a procedure performed when an infant or child's heart and lungs operate as if outside the body.
• Heart transplantations require open-heart surgery and are replace a failing heart with a donor heart.

Pediatric heart surgeons usually practice with other specialists on their team, such as pediatric cardiologists, intensive care specialists and heart anesthesiologists. They work closely with pediatric cardiologists in particular, who help the surgeons by diagnosing heart issues and constructing a safe medical plan for before and after the surgical procedure.

Pediatric heart surgeons work in children's hospitals and medical facilities that are equipped to handle the medical needs of young patients.

Parents or loved ones should always seek competent, professionally licensed and accredited surgeons. You can do this by checking out your state's medical directories and your health insurance company's directory and by researching and reading member reviews and ratings on Angie's List.