Pediatric heart surgery at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital
Pediatric cardiovascular surgeons at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis deliver advanced care for infants and children with congenital heart disease. Our surgeons have the expertise to deliver lifesaving surgical care. Your child will have a multispecialty team dedicated to their care, including pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, anesthesiologists, intensive care nurses, cardiac rehabilitation specialists, child life specialists, pediatric dietitians and more.
Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital has a dedicated pediatric cardiac catheterization lab and a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Here, we deliver 24/7 care for children with heart conditions and for those who are recovering from surgery.
Specializing in pediatric cardiovascular surgery
We understand heart surgery can feel overwhelming for your child and your family. Tell us your concerns and ask us your questions — big and small. Your child’s care team takes the time to explain the procedure to you and your child. We also explain what to expect before and during surgery and how to care for your child after surgery.
Cardiac surgeons at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital have the expertise to deliver a full range of heart care – from nonsurgical treatments to surgical interventions. There are many different types of heart surgery. For some conditions, cardiac surgeons use cardiac catheterization. With this minimally invasive procedure, your child’s surgeon inserts a tiny catheter through a blood vessel and into the heart to open narrowed valves or close a hole in the heart. For other conditions, surgeons may need to make incisions to repair your child’s heart.
Whenever possible, your child’s surgeon uses minimally invasive surgery. Children who have this type of procedure typically get smaller incisions and may have a faster recovery. With new surgical techniques, many children who have minimally invasive procedures go home in less than 48 hours.
Heart surgery may be needed for conditions including, but not limited to:
- Atrial and ventricular septal defect (a hole in the heart)
- Aortic valve disease (valve doesn’t work properly)
- AV canal
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) (an opening between the upper chambers of the heart)
- Stenosis (stiffened valves)
- Transposition of the great vessels
- Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF)
- Vascular ring anomalies
After surgery, your child’s care team connects your family with supportive care, including pediatric cardiac rehabilitation, pharmacy services, follow-up care and more.
Advanced care for congenital heart conditions
If you are an expecting parent and have been told your baby may have a heart condition, we're here to help navigate the right care for your baby. Pediatric cardiologists at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital work closely with maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists at Ascension St. Vincent to diagnose and monitor fetal heart conditions.
Before your baby is born, we create a care plan for your baby. Once your baby is born, they will receive the highest level of care in our Level IV NICU. As one of the largest NICUs and pediatric cardiology programs in Indiana, we’re prepared to deliver the heart care your baby needs. If surgery is recommended, a surgeon with the right expertise will be part of your care team. Our pediatric cardiac surgeons provide surgical care for babies born early (premature) and newborns.
Pediatric nurse navigators
At Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, you’ll be connected with a pediatric nurse navigator to help coordinate appointments with pediatric specialists.