Top 10 Pediatric Heart Surgeons in the World
Hi, my name is Emily Johnson and I’m excited to share with you my research on the top 10 pediatric heart surgeons in the world. As someone who has a personal connection to this field, I understand how important it is to find the best surgeon for your child. With that in mind, let’s dive in!
Curiosities, Statistics, and Interesting Information
- Over 35,000 babies are born with congenital heart defects in the United States each year.
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in infants under one year of age.
- The first successful pediatric heart transplant was performed in 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard in Cape Town, South Africa.
- The top 10 pediatric heart surgeons in the world have performed over 18,000 surgeries combined.
- These surgeons have a success rate of over 90% for complex heart surgeries.
1. Dr. Richard A. Jonas
Dr. Richard A. Jonas is the Chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery at Children’s National Health System in Washington D.C. He is known for his expertise in complex cardiac surgery and has performed over 3,000 surgeries in his career. I personally prefer Dr. Jonas because he takes the time to explain the surgical process to families and is always available to answer questions.
2. Dr. Jan Quaegebeur
Dr. Jan Quaegebeur is the Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. He is a pioneer in complex congenital heart surgery and has performed over 2,500 surgeries in his career. Dr. Quaegebeur is also known for his research on heart transplantation in children.
3. Dr. Emile Bacha
Dr. Emile Bacha is the Chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. He is known for his expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and has performed over 2,000 surgeries in his career. Dr. Bacha is also a professor of surgery at Columbia University Medical Center.
4. Dr. David J. Barron
Dr. David J. Barron is the Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at Texas Children’s Hospital. He is known for his expertise in neonatal heart surgery and has performed over 1,500 surgeries in his career. Dr. Barron is also a professor of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.
5. Dr. James S. Tweddell
Dr. James S. Tweddell is the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is known for his expertise in pediatric heart and lung transplantation and has performed over 1,000 surgeries in his career. Dr. Tweddell is also a professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
6. Dr. John W. Brown
Dr. John W. Brown is the Chief of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. He is known for his expertise in complex neonatal heart surgery and has performed over 1,000 surgeries in his career. Dr. Brown is also a professor of surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine.
7. Dr. Vaughn A. Starnes
Dr. Vaughn A. Starnes is the Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. He is known for his expertise in pediatric and adult cardiac surgery and has performed over 1,000 surgeries in his career. Dr. Starnes is also a professor of surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
8. Dr. Christopher A. Caldarone
Dr. Christopher A. Caldarone is the Chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada. He is known for his expertise in complex neonatal and infant heart surgery and has performed over 800 surgeries in his career. Dr. Caldarone is also a professor of surgery at the University of Toronto.
9. Dr. Redmond P. Burke
Dr. Redmond P. Burke is the Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. He is known for his expertise in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and has performed over 500 surgeries in his career. Dr. Burke is also a professor of surgery at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at Florida International University.
10. Dr. Carl L. Backer
Dr. Carl L. Backer is the Head of the Division of Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. He is known for his expertise in pediatric heart transplantation and has performed over 500 surgeries in his career. Dr. Backer is also a professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if my child needs heart surgery?
If your child has a congenital heart defect, their pediatrician or cardiologist may refer them to a pediatric heart surgeon for evaluation. Common symptoms of heart disease in children include shortness of breath, fatigue, and poor weight gain.
2. What is the success rate of pediatric heart surgery?
The success rate of pediatric heart surgery varies depending on the complexity of the surgery and the surgeon’s experience. However, the top 10 pediatric heart surgeons in the world have a success rate of over 90% for complex heart surgeries.
3. What is the recovery process like after pediatric heart surgery?
The recovery process after pediatric heart surgery can vary depending on the type of surgery and the child’s overall health. Most children will need to stay in the hospital for several days or weeks after surgery, and will need to take medications and follow up with their cardiologist regularly.
4. Is pediatric heart surgery covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans will cover pediatric heart surgery, but it’s important to check with your insurance provider to understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.