Pediatric Heart Surgery

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Full-spectrum surgical care for pediatric heart disease

When it’s your child, no surgery is routine. Children’s Hospital has one of the most experienced pediatric heart surgery teams in the nation. We provide surgical care for children with congenital heart problems. Our heart surgeries range from closures of septal defects to very complex procedures, including Norwood and Fontan operations and heart transplants.

We perform surgeries at Children’s Hospital in Nashville. We are able to see patients before and after surgery at several locations across Middle Tennessee.

Your guide to surgery at Children's Hospital

When it comes to your child, no surgery is routine. Learn everything you need to know to prepare your child and yourself for a visit.

Conditions We Treat

Meet Your Care Team

David P. BichellMD

Adult Congenital Heart and Valve Disease,

Cardiac Surgery,

Cardiac/Heart Transplantation,

Congenital Heart Diseases,

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery,

Pediatric Heart Transplant,

Pediatric Surgery

Karla G. ChristianMD

Cardiac/Heart Transplantation,

Congenital Heart Diseases,

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery,

Pediatric Heart Transplant,

Pediatric Surgery

Nhue L. DoMD

Cardiac/Heart Transplantation,

Congenital Heart Diseases,

ECMO and Critical Care,

Pediatric Cardiac Surgery,

Pediatric Surgery

Why choose the Heart Surgery Program at Children’s Hospital

Proven outcomes
Children's Hospital has three cardiac surgeons who perform more than 600 operations annually, making ours one of the top ten busiest congenital heart surgery programs in the United States, according to STS. Even taking into account the most complex patients, Children's Hospital has a greater than 97-percent survival rate.
Dedicated intensive care
Following heart surgery, children go to our Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Unlike ICUs in adult hospitals, our unit includes equipment sized just for kids, and experts who are specialists in caring for children with heart disease.
Coordinated care
Our doctors, nurses and staff work closely together to develop a personalized care plan for your child. We also work closely with your pediatrician to provide your child with seamless ongoing care.
Experienced care
In 2020, Children's Hospital surgeons performed 23 pediatric heart transplants, making it the fourth largest pediatric heart transplant program in the United States. We benefit from the experience of the UNOS-recognized Vanderbilt Heart Transplant Program, performing more transplants than any other program in the nation.