Excellence in pediatric cardiac surgery
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine has an international reputation for excellence in heart surgery for children.
Our program – in partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian, the #1 hospital in New York for 17 years running – is among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. It was ranked #10 in the country by the publication’s 2017-2018 survey.
We offer children the best
Children with heart disorders often have multiple health problems. They also have complex needs and require immense support. At Weill Cornell Medicine, we offer highly specialized surgical options, comprehensive care, and support for the children and their families.
At Weill Cornell Medicine, we offer our patients a team-based, specialized approach to care. This means that each child receives assessment and care from a wide range of experts—all in the same convenient location. These experts may include:
● Pediatric cardiologists
● Pediatric gastroenterologists
● Pediatric neurologists
● Pediatric hematologists
● Pediatric surgeons
● Pediatric neurosurgeons
● Pediatric urologists
● Pediatric anesthesiologists
● Intensive care specialists
Our patients also benefit from our:
● World-class facilities
● K-12 school within the hospital
● Support services, including nutritionists and psychologists, to ensure that patients thrive after surgery
● State-of-the-art imaging technology to ensure the best possible diagnosis
● Breadth and depth of experience treating pediatric patients of all ages, from newborns to adolescents
● Commitment to comprehensive, personalized care
Surgical options
The pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine offer the most advanced surgical options.
Conditions we treat:
● Anomalous left coronary from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA)
● Aortic and subaortic stenosis and regurgitation
● Aortopulmonary window
● Atrial and ventricular septal defects
● Atrioventricular canal
● Coarctation of the aorta
● Cor triatriatum
● Coronary artery anomalies/coronary fistulas
● Double outlet right ventricle
● Ebstein's anomaly and tricuspid valve disease
● Failing Fontan surgery
● Heart tumors
● Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
● Mitral valve stenosis and regurgitation
● Patent ductus arteriosus
● Pulmonary atresia
● Pulmonary stenosis
● Pulmonary valve stenosis and regurgitation
● Single ventricle disease
● Tetralogy of Fallot
● Total anomalous pulmonary venous return/pulmonary vein stenosis vascular rings
● Transposition of the great arteries
● Tricuspid atresia
● Truncus arteriosus
● Valve repair
We recommend visiting the Weill Cornell Medicine Cardiothoracic Department website, as well as the American Heart Association.
Once you and your care team decide that surgery is the best treatment plan for your condition, you will schedule a pre-surgical appointment, which takes place at M404.
During your pre-surgical appointment:
Your nurse practitioner will explain what you can expect for your specific surgery and hospital stay
Your nurse practitioner will review your current medications
You will sign a consent form for the surgery and potential blood transfusion (Please note: Most patients do not receive blood transfusions during surgery, but we are required to have you sign this consent form, just in case you do need a transfusion and are not awake at the time to give your consent. ALL blood is stringently tested for HIV, hepatitis, and cytomegalovirus.)
You have the opportunity to ask questions
You will receive a small bottle of antibacterial soap
This process generally takes two to three hours.
You will be given instructions as to which medications you should stop taking to prepare for surgery.
On the night before your surgery, shower using half of the bottle of antibacterial soap. On the morning of the surgery, before you come to the hospital, shower using the rest of the soap.
Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your surgery. You may take your medications that the nurse practitioner approved you to take the morning of surgery, with just a small sip of water.
Parking is available in front of the 68th Street circular entrance to the hospital. There are also several parking garages in the immediate area.
Parking is only validated on the day of your hospital discharge, not on the day of your pre-surgical appointment.
Please be sure to bring you:
Insurance card(s)
Toiletries
Pajamas, robe, and slippers
Generally try not to bring too much to the hospital, because you probably won't use a lot of these things and will just have to carry them home.
Please do not bring any jewelry or expensive electronics with you for the first hospital day. Your family and friends are welcome to bring those items once you are awake and in your room.
Please check in at Greenberg 3-West (Same-Day Surgery Unit), which is on the third floor of the Greenberg Pavilion, using the "G" elevators.
If you are the first case, please check in at 6 AM. If you are the second case, please check in at 10 AM.
The usual length of the actual cardiac surgery is about three and a half to four hours. However, the total length of time your family member will spend in the operating room is longer. Much of that "extra time" is spent preparing you for surgery and getting you ready to go to the recovery room (PACU) or ICU following surgery.
During your surgery, your family and friends should wait in the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute Atrium. Please tell them to check in at the front desk so that they can be contacted when your surgeon calls.
If the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute Atrium is closed at the time of your surgery, your family and friends may wait in the smaller waiting area right outside the Cardiothoracic ICU (4-West).
There is also a café on the first floor of the hospital, directly opposite the information desk and down the hall from the front door on the left, which is open at all times. This café sells coffee, tea, and a variety of food.
Please download our extensive Guide to Surgery.
Please see Insurance Questions or call (212) 746-5161.