Section of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

Leading experts in congenital cardiothoracic care

The Section of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at WashU Medicine is a world-leader in surgical care, innovation and training related to congenital cardiothoracic conditions.

We provide comprehensive surgical treatment for congenital and acquired heart and lung disease as part of the multidisciplinary team at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Heart Center. Patients and families come to us from around the world for expertise, and it is our honor to provide them the highest level of care. Established in 1968, our service is a national and international referral center for rare and complex cardiothoracic diseases. Recent highlights of our program include:

First in North America to use Potts shunt for children with intractable pulmonary hypertension
Developed novel bridge techniques for newborns with heart failure
Strong outcomes in pediatric heart and lung transplantation

Research in the section focuses on causes and treatments of congenital heart disease. Our studies move from bench to bedside and back, aiming to improve care for children with heart and lung conditions and, ultimately, eradicate these diseases. Research in our laboratory has been funded by multiple sources, including the NIH, American Heart Foundation, and institutional support.

We train future leaders through our congenital cardiac surgery fellowship. Our program is among a select few ACGME accredited fellowships of its kind.

High clinical volume

Advanced training

Innovative research

Section chief

Pirooz Eghtesady, MD, PhD

Chief, Section of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Emerson Chair in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon-in-Chief, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Phone: 314-454-6165

Patient care

Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons at WashU Medicine specialize in diagnosing and treating congenital and acquired conditions of the heart in children. Our expertise includes performing complex procedures to repair heat defects present at birth and managing heart and lung transplants, among other specialized surgeries.

Pediatric cardiothoracic surgery

Education

Our section trains cardiothoracic surgeons seeking further specialization in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery through a two-year congenital cardiac surgery fellowship. Fellows gain the exposure and experience required to become certified in the sub-specialty of congenital cardiac surgery through a progression of responsibility in the management of patients with congenital heart defects.

Research

Our basic science investigates the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of congenital heart disease. Clinical research is aimed at improving outcomes of surgical interventions in infants and children with congenital heart disease, as well as extracorporeal circulatory support devices and pediatric thoracic transplant.

Eghtesady Lab>>