The large field of open-heart surgery began at the University of Minnesota, which has remained a national leader for more than 50 years in developing new ways to treat heart conditions in children. Today, the tradition continues, as University of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, Fairview and University of Minnesota Physicians offer hope and superior results for infants and children with various heart conditions and abnormalities.

Our team of cardiology specialists is the region’s best at finding the cause of illness without having to do surgery. We offer cardiac catheterization techniques, which include nonsurgical alternatives for treating some heart defects, cardiovascular surgery and cardiovascular intensive care. Our research in pediatric cardiovascular medicine is nationally and internationally recognized.

Conditions We Treat

• Acquired heart diseases (Kawasaki disease, rheumatic fever, endocarditis, myocarditis)
• Transposition of the great arteries
• Coarctation
• Atrial septal defect
• Ventricular septal defect
• Patent foramen ovale
• Patent ductus arteriosus
• Hyperlipidemia (or elevated cholesterol)
• Congestive heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmias (palpitations, rapid heart beat, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome)
• Chest pain
• Fainting (or syncope)

Treatments We Offer

• Cardiac catheterization—nonsurgical closure of atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosis, and patent foramen ovale
• Cardiac surgery (complete range)
• Heart transplantation

Diagnostic Technologies We Offer

• Echocardiography
• Prenatal diagnosis and screening (including fetal echocardiography)

Pediatric Lipid Clinic

This is the premier lipid clinic for children in Minnesota, with more than 400 children enrolled. Treatment of lipid abnormalities is a mainstay of preventive efforts. Most medicines given to children have only been studied in adults. Recently, federal health agencies and major drug companies have realized the need for studies on safety and efficacy of medications in children. Our lipid clinic has become a selected site by major agencies for these trials. Children and their families are offered the opportunity to participate in this research if they desire.

This comprehensive preventive clinic provides an integrated approach including risk assessment for children and families, lifestyle consultations, clinical care and opportunities to participate in clinical research studies. We believe that a family oriented approach is essential for a successful outcome, and the entire family participates. 

Research Opportunities and Activities

Our pediatric cardiology team is currently conducting clinical and epidemiologic studies of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk factors in children and young adults. In addition, our team is exploring new ways to repair heart lesions nonsurgically.