Cardiac Surgery

UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital experts assess and treat patients with congenital or acquired diseases of the heart and great arteries.
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University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital offers comprehensive and highly specialized expertise in pediatric cardiac surgery for children and adults with congenital heart defects of all ages and complexity levels.

Our pediatric cardiac surgeons also have expertise in heart repair and palliation in newborns younger than 1 month old. 

With the help of advanced imaging technology, many congenital heart conditions can be diagnosed before birth. This allows our collaborative care teams to prepare early treatment plans—sometimes beginning treatment before birth—so your child has the right care from the start. 

Comprehensive, personalized care

Because every child's condition is unique, our care teams tailor treatment plans to meet your child’s specific needs. Our cardiac surgeons offer the most contemporary and innovative surgical procedures to patients of all ages and complexity levels. This includes expertise in mechanical assistance devices and transplantations. We offer the only pediatric heart transplant program in Iowa.  

As a leader in advancing the care and treatment of children with congenital and acquired heart disease, we also have opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research.  

Because UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital has a large and successful research program, our patients have access to the latest innovations and surgical solutions available. 

Dedicated and highly skilled providers

Our pediatric cardiac surgeons have completed the training required to operate on adults, plus additional education, training, and experience to gain the skills they need to operate on the smaller and still-developing hearts of infants and children. This means that our providers can provide comprehensive care and treatments to address patients' needs as they age and grow. They are also recognized for excellence by the National Institutes of Health and other major surgical societies.  

Team-based approach

Supported by a comprehensive children's heart program, our pediatric cardiac surgeons are committed to collaborative, multidisciplinary care. The team includes specialized pediatric cardiologists, neonatologists, intensivists, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, and postoperative support groups, all dedicated to providing the best quality of care for children and adults with congenital heart diseases. 

Cardiothoracic surgery treatments

  • Anomalous coronary artery repair 

  • Arch anomalies repair 

  • Arterial switch 

  • Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair 

  • Congenital heart defect repair 

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (ECMO) 

  • Fontan procedure 

Cardiothoracic surgery conditions

  • Adult congenital heart disease 

  • Aortic valvar stenosis (AS) 

  • Atrial septal defect (ASD) 

  • Atrioventricular septal defect (AV canal defect) 

  • Cardiac tumors 

  • Coarctation of the aorta 

  • Cyanotic heart disease 

  • Ebstein anomaly 

  • Fetal heart conditions 

  • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) 

  • Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) 

  • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) 

  • Pulmonary atresia (PA) 

  • Pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) 

  • Single ventricle anomalies 

  • Tetralogy of fallot 

  • Thoracic tumors 

  • Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) 

  • Transposition of the great arteries 

  • Tricuspid atresia 

  • Truncus arteriosus 

  • Vascular ring and sling 

  • Ventricular septal defect (VSD) 

Our Care Team

UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital’s cardiac surgery providers are expertly trained to repair and treat conditions that involve the heart, lungs, esophagus, and chest wall.

Mohsen Karimi, MD, MS, MBA portrait

Mohsen
Karimi
MD, MS, MBA

  • Cardiology
Marco Ricci, MD, MBA portrait

Marco
Ricci
MD, MBA

  • Cardiology

Tina Davenport, ARNP portrait

Tina
Davenport
ARNP

  • Cardiology
4.63 out of 5 (69 ratings)
AS

April
Schmitz
ARNP

  • Cardiology

Nurse Coordinators

  • Sue Crimmins, RN, BSN
Not sure which cardiothoracic surgery provider is right for you?
We can help you find a provider who meets your needs.
Call 1-888-573-5437 Refer a patient

Locations and Offices

Level 2: Pediatric Specialty Clinic

2800 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Pediatric Public Elevators, Level 2
1-319-356-1828
Clinic
In University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242

Patient Stories

Parent blog: Miranda Goodpaster and Bret Hilpipre
February 10, 2020
"After learning that our unborn child would need to undergo three open-heart surgeries, we were devastated."
Jaylee Bartleson
August 14, 2019
At 9-months-old, Jaylee Bartleson was attached to a life support device—a left ventricle assist device (LVAD)—while awaiting her heart transplant. Fin...
Browse more stories

Related News

Nationally recognized as an Accredited Center of Care by the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation
October 22, 2019
University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital has been recognized as an Accredited Center of Care by the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation. 
Hailey Steimel's life-saving heart transplant
January 30, 2015
Valentine's Day will mark one year since Hailey Steimel's life-saving heart transplant. Having just completed her first annual check-up, the Prairie H...