Heart Center Team: Vast Experience and Excellent
Outcomes
Cleveland Clinic pediatric heart surgeons, cardiologists and
anesthesiologists are among the most highly trained and experienced
in the world. In 2002, our physicians and surgeons evaluated
more than 6,500 patients of all ages with pediatric and congenital
heart disease. In addition, our team consists of the referring
physician, the patient's family, specially trained cardiac
nurses, allied health professionals, social workers and child
life specialists.
Some CHD may be managed with medication. If
intervention is needed, our pediatric cardiologists can repair
certain heart defects in the cardiac catheterization laboratory
using coils, stents and implantable devices. These defects
may be repaired through small incisions in the groin, thus
eliminating the need for open-heart surgery. In 2002, our
cardiologists performed 660 catheterizations, 216 of which
were performed on adults. Our surgeons manage all forms of
congenital and acquired heart defects and routinely perform
complex surgeries not performed elsewhere. Our success rates,
including those for repairing defects in newborns, are high,
and our complication and mortality rates are low. For example,
from July 1993 to June 2002, 4,058 surgeries were performed
with an overall mortality rate of 1.8%.
Heart Failure/Transplantation Services
The center's heart failure/transplantation team assesses and
treats children with heart failure. Alternatives to heart
transplantation, such as a mechanical heart, may offer lifesaving
treatment or act as a bridge to transplantation.
Our center's heart transplantation success rate
ranks higher than the national average. Additionally, the
Cleveland Clinic's Heart Transplant Program is one of only
three centers worldwide that has performed over 1,000 transplants.
Lifetime Care for Children and Adults
Adults with complex congenital heart defects require expert
care. Ours is the only center in Ohio and one of just a few
in the nation dedicated to the lifelong care of CHD patients.
No other center in the area manages patients over 18.
Each year, the center assesses more than 400
adults with CHD. Since 1993, we have performed more than 500
surgeries on adult patients with a mortality rate of 0.9%.
Leaders in Research, Innovation. Our center's
cardiac surgeons developed and perfected the double-switch
operation for complex transposition of the great arteries.
Our cardiologists pioneered the research that led to the development
of devices to close holes between the chambers of the heart.
Our physician investigators are sponsored by corporate and
government organizations with the goal of advancing treatment
for patients with CHD.
The Value of a Multispecialty Center
Because heart defects are relatively rare, it is crucial to
choose a multispecialty medical center with a highly skilled
and experienced medical team. At The Cleveland Clinic, our
physicians can diagnose heart defects and determine management
strategies before your child is even born. Complicated and
high-risk pregnancies are expertly managed within our Level
III perinatal center, and critically ill newborns receive
the highest level of care available in our Level III neonatal
intensive care unit.
Larry
A. Latson, M.D.
Richard
Lorber, M.D.
C.
Igor Mesia, M.D.
Tamar
Preminger, M.D.
Lourdes
R. Prieto, M.D.
John
Rhodes, M.D.
Geoffrey
Rosenthal, M.D., Ph.D.
Richard
Sterba, M.D.
Adel
Younoszai, M.D.
Roger
B.B. Mee, M.B., CH.B., F.R.A.C.S.
Brian
W. Duncan, M.D. |