Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Excellence in Heart Surgery, Ranked Among the Very Best in the Nation
Nemours Children’s pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons perform the most complex heart, airway and chest surgeries for the full range of heart and blood vessel conditions. We expertly perform advanced procedures on the tiniest newborns and children through young adulthood with excellent survival outcomes.
Our team, part of renowned pediatric heart centers in Delaware and Florida, is highly skilled and recognized worldwide for expertise and innovation. In fact, we’re named among the very best for pediatric heart care by U.S. News & World Report, with our Delaware location ranked #8 in the nation.
We’re developing life-saving surgeries and researching new treatment methods. Our outcomes, or success rates, are among the best in the nation, which means we give more children the chance to live their very best lives.
Families choose Nemours for excellence in surgery for kids with rare genetic syndromes and surgical repair for complex heart conditions, including single ventricle defects, airway disorders and more. They stay with us for complete, team-based care and our focus on supporting every aspect of achieving family wellness.
Two Leading Pediatric Heart Centers
Our heart centers offer highly advanced, integrated care just for kids and young adults with congenital heart disease. Learn about our focused programs, innovative research and exceptional outcomes.
Team-Based Heart Expertise for Newborns and Kids of All Ages
Our heart surgeons work closely with experts in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, cardiac critical care and cardiology to a provide the safest, most effective care before, during and after surgery.
450+
Heart surgeries each year at Nemours
8
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons systemwide
2
Nationally known heart centers, in Delaware and Florida
We report our outcome data to a national database and compare our outcomes against national averages.
Nemours surgeons are innovators of lifesaving procedures, and pioneers in cardiothoracic surgery.
We’re researching new and better ways to perform surgery and protect children’s health as they grow up.
Our team cares for your child physically and emotionally with and psychological support specific to kids with heart conditions.
Team-Based Heart Expertise for Newborns and Kids of All Ages
Our heart surgeons work closely with experts in pediatric cardiac anesthesiology, cardiac critical care and cardiology to provide the safest, most effective care before, during and after surgery.
450+
6
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons systemwide
2
Nationally known heart centers, in Delaware and Florida
Our surgical outcomes are among the best in the nation, with 100% survival rates for many complex procedures.
As the first in Delaware to perform a pediatric heart transplant (2005) and innovators of lifesaving procedures, we’re pioneers in cardiothoracic surgery.
In Delaware we provide congenital heart surgery for adults up to age 40.
We’re researching new and better ways to perform surgery and protect children’s health as they grow up.
We're here after surgery to reduce the risk for complications and support neurodevelopment.
Our Chief
Peter Wearden, MD, PhD is the chief of cardiothoracic surgery and co-director of the Nemours Cardiac Center, Florida. See how we deliver state-of-the-art heart care just for kids, every single day.
“We would put our trust in Dr. Pizarro all over again.”
“Our pediatrician told us Lucy needed to be in the very best place anywhere for treating heart problems — and this is it.”
“We are grateful that this skilled team produced such a great outcome for Capucine. Her incision has healed beautifully, and she is developing quite normally.”
- Vea
- Lucy
- Capucine
Programs & Services
At Nemours, we go beyond medicine, with special programs that protect and nurture a child’s health and development after surgery. We also offer services and support you can’t get everywhere.
Our heart surgeons use innovative methods and collaboration, often performing combined procedures with our interventional cardiology team. In Delaware, we offer surgery for adults with congenital heart disease. We provide:
We use the latest surgical approaches, including:
- Minimally invasive heart technologies that can make surgery easier on the body and result in a faster recovery
- Hybrid, or combined procedures that involve catheters (small, thin tubes) inserted into the heart through blood vessels to make repairs, which may need smaller cuts, and can mean an easier recovery and fewer surgeries
- Advanced cardiac imaging, such as heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT scans and echocardiography for highly accurate diagnostics and surgical precision
- 3D printing and modelling technologies to create detailed models of the heart and blood vessels for surgical planning and to provide education to families
We perform the full range of procedures, with recognized expertise in pediatric:
- Airway (tracheal) surgery, including a complex tracheal reconstruction surgery developed by one our very own surgeons
- Interventional catheter-based heart procedures using thin tubes inserted through blood vessels to detect problems and make repairs, like closing holes and replacing heart valves
- Newborn heart surgery, including complex procedures on babies just days old with survival rates among the best
- Mechanical circulatory support with ventricular assist devices (in Delaware) that help the heart work like it should, for short- and long-term or as a bridge to transplant
- Single ventricle defect surgery using the latest approaches that reduce the risk of complications and improve recovery
- Valve surgery to repair or replace narrowed or leaky heart valves, including hybrid procedures that use catheters, or thin tubes for parts of the surgery
- Heart transplant available at our heart center in the Delaware Valley
Nemours offers services and support for your child, and the whole family:
- Enhanced recovery programs that may begin even before surgery to ensure the best possible outcomes
- Highly advanced cardiac critical care from skilled intensivists and advance practice providers and nurses
- Inpatient heart care just for kids and young adults with heart conditions
- Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery, with physical, occupational and speech therapies, cardiac psychology services and nutrition counseling to gain strength and restore function
- Cardiac neurodevelopmental program to help your child grow to their highest ability
- Cardiac psychology services to build strength and family resilience
- Care and support at every step, including social work and Child Life services, creative therapies, pet therapy, pastoral care and more
Cardiac Conditions & Treatments
We see many conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Related Specialties
Empowering You to Care for Your Child at Home
The Nemours inpatient heart care team helps you prepare for and manage your child’s care at home. We make sure you have everything you need, including training on devices, equipment and medicines before you leave.
Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video
We offer follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.
What Happens Before, During and After Surgery
Heart or chest surgery can be routine, or extremely complex. We’ll guide you through your child’s unique situation. Generally, you can expect:
- Before surgery, your child will have pre-surgical testing. You’ll meet the surgeon to talk about the procedure, how it’s performed and what to expect.
- On the day of surgery, you’ll arrive a few hours before the procedure.
- You’ll meet with a cardiac anesthesiology expert who will ask questions and go over what they do during surgery. You’ll also meet our Child Life specialists and other supportive team members.
- Your child will have an IV (intravenous) line inserted for medicine and fluid delivery.
- Right before the procedure, we’ll transfer your child to the operating room. You’re invited to stay with your child up until the start of the procedure.
- In addition to the cardiothoracic surgeon and cardiac anesthesiologists, a team of doctors and nurses assist during surgery. We closely monitor your child’s blood pressure, heart rhythm, oxygen levels and other key body functions.
- During the procedure, you’ll wait in a special cardiac center waiting room. A nurse will keep you updated at regular times. Typically, every hour or so.
- The length of surgery depends on the procedure, but it can take several hours.
- After surgery, your child will recover in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). You’ll see them briefly and will be asked to give us about an hour to get them settled.
- Depending on your child’s age, type of surgery and condition, they could be in the CICU a few days to a week. From here, your child will go to our special cardiac inpatient unit until discharge.
- Before going home, your child may have cardiac rehabilitation which can include physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, cardiac neurodevelopmental therapy and more.
- We tell you everything you need to know about caring for your child at home. We’ll train you on devices, medicines, wound care and more.
- After discharge, you’ll see your child’s pediatric cardiology specialist who will manage recovery and schedule follow-up tests and visits.
Preparing for Your Child’s Surgery
We want you to feel prepared for your child’s surgery, and what happens after. Learn about what happens during surgery, conditions, procedures and recovery from the experts at Nemours KidsHealth®.
Getting Ready for Surgery
If your child needs surgery, it can help to know what to expect. Learn age-appropriate tips to help your child understand what’s happening and how to make surgery a little easier.
Read More About
Children with heart and blood vessel conditions may need surgery, one or more, as newborns or throughout their lives. Find information about certain heart conditions and the course of care:
Cardiothoracic surgery can repair structural problems in the heart, improve blood flow and help the lungs and heart work better. There are many different surgeries, methods and approaches. Find more information about:
Learn everything about the heart, from how it works to what can go wrong and how to keep it healthy. Read about tests, treatments and much more. We also offer family-friendly, heart healthy tips for eating right and getting physical activity.