Louisville gets region's first center for treatment of congenital heart defects

Thanks in part to the efforts of two UofL faculty members, Louisville is now home to the region's only center dedicated to the treatment of congenital heart defects in both children and adults.

The $4 million Congenital Heart Center, dedicated March 3 at Kosair Children's Hospital, offers a comprehensive range of services, including open-heart surgery, minimally invasive surgery, neonatal congenital heart surgery and pediatric electrophysiology.

Planning for the center began nearly two years ago under the direction of Erle Austin III, M.D., a UofL cardiovascular surgeon, and Michael Recto, M.D., a pediatric interventional cardiologist and associate professor of pediatrics at UofL.

"These two gentlemen have been the driving force behind the center's development," said Russ Cox, executive vice president of Norton Healthcare, Kosair's parent organization. "They identified the need, assessed our capabilities and consulted with us on the issues.

"I can tell you that they work very hard for these patients' needs, and they're making sure (those needs) are met in our community."

The new center features 7,500 square feet of floor space boasting Kentucky's only dedicated electrophysiology lab, a state-of-the-art echocardiography facility, a teleconferencing center and two hybrid catheterization suites.

The hybrid catheterization suites allow a surgeon and interventional cardiologist to treat a patient during a single procedure, leading to faster recovery times, less tissue damage and reduced scarring. The technique is especially beneficial in treating newborns because it is less traumatic than traditional approaches.

Austin said the new center means that most heart defects -- even those once thought untreatable -- can now be corrected, leading to a normal life for area patients.

"We are very fortunate at Kosair Children's Hospital to have state-of-the-art equipment allowing us to treat these defects, many times on an outpatient basis," he said. "Thanks to the advent of telemedicine, we even have access to patients' images and records up in the operating room when surgery is going on.

"From a surgeon's perspective, it is incredibly important and valuable to have this information readily available so quick decisions can be made in the operating room.

"As a physician, I am appreciative of the capabilities that the Congenital Heart Center gives me to help my patients," he added. "This center is a treasure for this community."

Recto was equally pleased, noting that he was "very excited about the capabilities of the new Congenital Heart Center."

Congenital heart defects are abnormalities developed prior to birth. They include holes, narrow valves or incorrectly formed blood vessels. According to the American Heart Association, about 1 million Americans have congenital heart defects.

The majority of congenital heart defects are diagnosed early, but infant hearts are so small the defects sometimes aren't detected until much later in life. Specialists at the Congenital Heart Center are, therefore, trained to treat all types of congenital heart defects in both children and adults.

The center was made possible in part by a $1 million federal appropriation secured by U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, who was on hand for the dedication.

"Most of us hope that our children won't need to be here, but it should be very reassuring to all people, not only in Louisville but across the state and entire region, that we have a freestanding children's hospital that is pursuing the latest techniques and opportunities for children," Northup said.

"This center is making an enormous difference in children's health, so that families who are desperately seeking the best care for their children can find that right here in Louisville."

Cox also expressed his appreciation to the WHAS Crusade for Children for its continuing support of Kosair Children's Hospital.