At Connecticut Children’s, we provide world-class cardiac surgical care for children and adults with congenital heart conditions. We know how stressful it can be when you or a loved one needs surgery, and we are committed to offering compassionate, expert care at every turn.

 

Why Choose Connecticut Children’s for Congenital Cardiac Surgery?

At the Heart Center, our Division of Congenital Cardiac Surgery brings together a highly specialized team skilled in performing advanced surgeries for patients ranging from newborns to adults with complex heart conditions.

Our surgeons are experts in procedures that require precision, skill and innovation, such as:

  • Arterial Switch Procedures: Correcting transposition of the great arteries in newborns.
  • Blood Conservation Cardiac Surgery: Minimizing blood loss to enhance recovery.
  • Coarctation Repair: Fixing narrowed artery to restore normal blood flow.
  • Repair of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return: Connecting the veins coming back from the lungs to the left side of the heart.
  • Repair of Truncus Arteriosus: Separating the aorta and pulmonary artery from each other, and connecting the pulmonary artery to the right side of the heart, as well as closing the hole in the lower chamber of the heart.
  • Single Ventricle Palliation Procedures: Series of surgeries to treat single ventricle heart defects. 
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Ligation: Closing abnormal blood flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery.
  • Pulmonary Artery Banding: Temporarily reducing pulmonary blood flow in preparation for future surgery.
  • Valve Repair or Replacement: Restoring healthy heart function by addressing valve defects.

Each surgery is carefully tailored to our patients’ unique conditions, and our team uses minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to facilitate faster recovery and less pain.

Our Cardiac Surgery Expertise

Caring for All Types of Heart Conditions

The Heart Center specializes in diagnosing and treating a wide range of congenital heart conditions, including aortic valve stenosis, atrial septal defect (ASD), hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS), Tetralogy of Fallot, and ventricular septal defect (VSD). No matter the diagnosis, our team is equipped to provide the most effective and least invasive treatment possible.

View Conditions

Surgical Outcomes

Patient safety is our top priority.  We report our data to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), which is one of the largest and most comprehensive clinical registries, twice per year.

Leading Congenital Cardiac Experts

The expertise of our congenital cardiac surgeons is bolstered by a highly trained team of professionals, including pediatric cardiologists, cardiac intensivists, advanced practice providers, and nurses. You are never alone on this journey. We work together as one team, guiding you from diagnosis through recovery.

Meet the Team

My own child had heart surgery when he was a week old.

Feature image from Meet Dennis Mello, MD, video

Frequently Asked Questions

Our surgeons take every precaution to minimize risks during surgery. As with any surgery, there are risks to cardiac surgery. You and the surgical team will review those risks at the preop appointment prior to surgery.

We operate on anyone born with congenital heart disease. This means we operate on babies, toddlers, children, adolescents, and adults. Since adults may have other issues unrelated to their heart condition, we sometimes team up with our adult colleagues to provide the best patient care possible. 

Preparing your child for surgery can be emotionally challenging. We encourage open conversations, offering age-appropriate explanations to ease their fears. Our Child Life specialists are available to help your child understand the process in a comforting, non-threatening way.

Preparing for surgery can involve several steps, including pre-surgical tests, blood work, changes in medications and dietary adjustments. Your surgeon will give you personalized instructions to follow before the surgery to ensure the best possible outcome. 

On the day of surgery, you or your child will be cared for by a dedicated team, including cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, and advanced practice providers and nurses with specialized training in cardiac surgery. Parents are able to stay with their child up until the moment of surgery, and we will provide updates throughout the procedure. After surgery, we prioritize family involvement in the recovery process.

Depending on you or your child's diagnosis, we may explore non-invasive treatments such as medication, catheter-based procedures or watchful waiting. Our cardiology team will work with you to find the best treatment option.

After cardiac surgery, you or your child will stay in the hospital for a few days to a week or more, depending on the surgery’s complexity. During this time, we’ll manage pain and monitor recovery closely. There will be a gradual return to normal activity.

Once home, it’s important to watch for complications like infection, swelling or difficulty breathing. We’ll give you clear instructions on how to care for the surgical site and when to contact us if something seems off.

In some cases, additional surgeries may be needed, which we’ll discuss during follow-up visits. Managing pain at home is a key part of recovery, and we’ll provide you with a plan that includes medication and non-medical comfort measures.

Follow-up care is essential, with regular checkups to monitor heart function and surgical repair/palliation. We’ll guide you on any long-term lifestyle changes or activity restrictions, helping you or your child lead a healthy, active life moving forward.

Pain management is an important part of any patient’s recovery. We’ll provide medications to control post-operative discomfort and guide you in using non-medical methods, such as gentle movement and relaxation techniques, to stay comfortable.

Lifestyle changes may be recommended to support your heart health, such as adjustments to diet, exercise and stress management. Your care team will help you understand how to incorporate these changes into your daily routine to reduce the risk of future heart issues.

Anchor ID #locations

Locations

Exterior view of Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford

Connecticut Children’s Medical Center – Hartford

282 Washington Street
Hartford, CT06106
United States

The Latest in Congenital Cardiac Surgery

Blog - Growing Healthy

Meet Randy Stevens, MD, Pediatric Heart Surgeon

Blog - Growing Healthy

Beyond a Heart Transplant: Taylor's Story

First Lieutenant John Kostal stands (and flies!) proud as a United States Air Force officer.
Blog - Growing Healthy

Beyond Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome: Air Force Pilot Achieves His Dream

Xavier on the soccer field
Blog - Growing Healthy

Beyond Atrial Septal Defect: After Heart Surgery, Soccer Player Is Stronger Than Ever

Schedule an Appointment

We're here to offer the expertise, care and compassion your family needs.

Call
Schedule Online