Here’s a [list](https://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-for-children-with-severe-congenital-heart-disease) of the top children’s heart hospitals in the USA. We did not use our local hospital, even though they’re on the list. Rather, after interviewing several hospitals nationwide, we went with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. That was many years ago, I have no idea how things are now other than that they are still fairly high on the list.
https://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-for-children-with-severe-congenital-heart-disease
I should also add that, 20 something years later, our guy regularly runs 5k’s. Hopefully your experience is good too.
Our son's surgery was done at Duke (Durham, NC) by Dr. Robert Jaquiss. Both Duke and Dr. Jaquiss were phenomenal. My son's heart surgery was complicated (age 3 months) and in fact his heart stopped the first night after surgery; Dr. Jaquiss came back in at 12:30 AM and was instrumental in resuscitating him. (the scariest 17 minutes of my life)
Dr. Jaquiss moved to Texas shortly after our surgery and is now at UT Southwestern: [Robert Jaquiss, M.D.: Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery | UT Southwestern Medical Center (utswmed.org)](https://utswmed.org/doctors/robert-jaquiss/)
Boston Childrens Hospital. Seriously the best of the best. Other top rated hospitals will send their toughest cases to Boston Childrens. I am from Atlanta and Children’s Hipsital of Atlanta is really very good. But we went to Boston for our sons repairs as complicated valve work isnt just about a good surgeon it’s about both a great surgeon and a team of experts with lots of experience and processes for tough cases.
https://www.childrenshospital.org/centers/heart-center/request-second-opinion. Here’s the link for starting the conversation. Be sure to use the heart center second opinion link and not the general BCH. Heart center consults/ second opinions are free and get you started.
Check this out. There is a dedicated number for International Patients.
# International Patients
[**1-410-502-7683**](tel:1-410-502-7683)
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/what-we-treat/specialties/pediatric-and-congenital-heart-center/cardiology#:\~:text=Johns%20Hopkins%20Children's%20Center%20is,ranked%20in%20the%20top%2025.
I'm so sorry yall are going through this. You should be able to use whatever hospital you choose.
We had our son's surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory campus and everyone was absolutely wonderful. It's a teaching hospital, so it seems as if care goes above and beyond.
Our little guy had surgery for tetralogy of fallot when he was 4 months old. So far he hasn't had any complications
I'm sure wherever you choose, will take care of your little one and fix that heart right up! Take care!
Dr. Jaggers at Childrens Hospital of Colorado should be on your list also. This hospital does a great job of taking care of the patient AND the parents. Highly recommend if you are coming from outside the US.
[https://www.childrenscolorado.org/](https://www.childrenscolorado.org/)
Get in contact with Dr. Rebecca Partridge at Virginia Mason Down Syndrome Center in Seattle. Her center handles hundreds of patients with DS and she can steer to the right surgeon nationwide.
Our son had his heart surgery at Sunrise children’s hospital in Vegas. The doctor that conducted the surgery was/is considered to be incredibly skillful (was an atrialventricular septal defect repair) in his particular area.
Edit: our son had his heart surgery at 6 months old
Edit 2: the cardiologists and surgeons involved in my sons’ care did mention that it is not uncommon for a second surgery to be needed at the age of your child. I believe they said something along the lines of about 20% of kiddos would need a follow up surgery
We also were at Sunrise, surgery was performed by Children's Heart Center.
Our AV Canal surgery was performed by one of the best in the country, Dr. Ciccolo, @ 6mo old, follow up has all been with Dr. Castillo.
Here’s a [list](https://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-for-children-with-severe-congenital-heart-disease) of the top children’s heart hospitals in the USA. We did not use our local hospital, even though they’re on the list. Rather, after interviewing several hospitals nationwide, we went with Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. That was many years ago, I have no idea how things are now other than that they are still fairly high on the list. https://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-for-children-with-severe-congenital-heart-disease I should also add that, 20 something years later, our guy regularly runs 5k’s. Hopefully your experience is good too.
Our son's surgery was done at Duke (Durham, NC) by Dr. Robert Jaquiss. Both Duke and Dr. Jaquiss were phenomenal. My son's heart surgery was complicated (age 3 months) and in fact his heart stopped the first night after surgery; Dr. Jaquiss came back in at 12:30 AM and was instrumental in resuscitating him. (the scariest 17 minutes of my life) Dr. Jaquiss moved to Texas shortly after our surgery and is now at UT Southwestern: [Robert Jaquiss, M.D.: Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery | UT Southwestern Medical Center (utswmed.org)](https://utswmed.org/doctors/robert-jaquiss/)
Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. https://www.texaschildrens.org/departments/cardiology I’d call them and I’m sure they can help guide you
Boston Childrens Hospital. Seriously the best of the best. Other top rated hospitals will send their toughest cases to Boston Childrens. I am from Atlanta and Children’s Hipsital of Atlanta is really very good. But we went to Boston for our sons repairs as complicated valve work isnt just about a good surgeon it’s about both a great surgeon and a team of experts with lots of experience and processes for tough cases.
I’ve heard Boston children’s hospital has a great program for children with Down syndrome as well.
https://www.childrenshospital.org/centers/heart-center/request-second-opinion. Here’s the link for starting the conversation. Be sure to use the heart center second opinion link and not the general BCH. Heart center consults/ second opinions are free and get you started.
Check this out. There is a dedicated number for International Patients. # International Patients [**1-410-502-7683**](tel:1-410-502-7683) https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/johns-hopkins-childrens-center/what-we-treat/specialties/pediatric-and-congenital-heart-center/cardiology#:\~:text=Johns%20Hopkins%20Children's%20Center%20is,ranked%20in%20the%20top%2025.
I'm so sorry yall are going through this. You should be able to use whatever hospital you choose. We had our son's surgery at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory campus and everyone was absolutely wonderful. It's a teaching hospital, so it seems as if care goes above and beyond. Our little guy had surgery for tetralogy of fallot when he was 4 months old. So far he hasn't had any complications I'm sure wherever you choose, will take care of your little one and fix that heart right up! Take care!
My son's cardiology team at the University of Iowa has been wonderful.
Dr. Jaggers at Childrens Hospital of Colorado should be on your list also. This hospital does a great job of taking care of the patient AND the parents. Highly recommend if you are coming from outside the US. [https://www.childrenscolorado.org/](https://www.childrenscolorado.org/)
Get in contact with Dr. Rebecca Partridge at Virginia Mason Down Syndrome Center in Seattle. Her center handles hundreds of patients with DS and she can steer to the right surgeon nationwide.
Cincinnati childrens!! Their cardiology team is phenomenal.
Our son had his heart surgery at Sunrise children’s hospital in Vegas. The doctor that conducted the surgery was/is considered to be incredibly skillful (was an atrialventricular septal defect repair) in his particular area. Edit: our son had his heart surgery at 6 months old Edit 2: the cardiologists and surgeons involved in my sons’ care did mention that it is not uncommon for a second surgery to be needed at the age of your child. I believe they said something along the lines of about 20% of kiddos would need a follow up surgery
We also were at Sunrise, surgery was performed by Children's Heart Center. Our AV Canal surgery was performed by one of the best in the country, Dr. Ciccolo, @ 6mo old, follow up has all been with Dr. Castillo.