Healing young hearts. MUSC Children s Heart Center. For consultation or referral, call MUSC Meduline at or toll-free at

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1 Healing young hearts Changing What s Possible For consultation or referral, call MUSC Meduline at or toll-free at MUSC Children s Heart Center Changing What s Possible 169 Ashley Avenue Charleston, SC Nonprofit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No. 254 Charleston, SC

2 Our Mission Contents Dear Colleague: At MUSC Children s Hospital our mission is to provide the highest level of health care to every child we treat. Physicians at MUSC Children s Heart Center strive to fulfill this mission by engaging in cutting-edge research, performing state-of-the art procedures and ensuring that patients receive family-centered comprehensive and compassionate care. The comprehensive cardiac program at MUSC Children s Heart Center has consistently been named one of the 30 top pediatric heart centers in the country by U.S. News and World Report, most recently 17 in Our 99 percent 30-day survival rate following complex cardiac surgery ranks us among the best centers in the world and in the top group of U.S. News-ranked elite centers. Our physicians and surgeons use a variety of advanced imaging and interventional techniques to optimize planning and treatment, including 3D echo, cardiac CT, MRI, and diagnostic catheterization. For non-surgical interventions, we perform the latest minimally invasive catheter procedures to complement, postpone or even prevent cardiac surgery. Further, we were the Southeast s first hospital to use the revolutionary Berlin heart for ventricular assist, demonstrating a commitment to superior care through individualized attention and advanced technology. Research conducted at the Charles P. Darby Children s Research Institute allows our faculty to enhance the level of care provided to children throughout the world by translating laboratory advances to the bedside, developing new technologies, and testing new care paradigms through clinical trials. All of these contribute to improving patient care and outcomes. MUSC Children s Heart Center continues to support family-centered comprehensive care. A multidisciplinary nursing team with expertise in caring for children with heart defects aims to minimize discomfort and stress for every patient. Other family support services such as child-life specialists further enhance patient care. We will continue to strive to provide the highest level of care to all our patients, and ask that you continue to take advantage of the services that MUSC Children s Heart Center has to offer. To refer patients, please call MUSC MEDULINE at or Cardiothoracic Surgery 2 Cardiothoracic Anesthesia 4 Tracheal Stenosis Program 4 Heart Failure and Transplantation 6 Interventional Cardiac Catheterization 8 Echocardiography 10 Fetal Program 10 Advanced Cardiac Imaging 12 Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit 12 Electrophysiology and Ablation Services 14 Heart Health Program 14 Adult Congenital Heart Disease 15 Research 16 Fellowship Training Program 18 Family Centered Comprehensive Care 20 Nursing 20 Family Support and Waiting Services 20 Child Life Specialists 20 Child Life Atrium 22 Access to Care 24 Referring a Patient 24 Meducare 24 Insurance Information 24 Cardiac Surgery Program Highlights 26 The Children s Heart Program of South Carolina 26 Sincerely, J. Philip Saul, M.D. Director, Division of Pediatric Cardiology

3 Cardiothoracic Surgery Under the leadership of Dr. Scott Bradley, surgeons at the MUSC Children s Heart Center excel in the full range of pediatric surgical procedures for acquired and congenital cardiac disorders. More than 400 major operations are performed annually. Our specialists treat patients from birth, through adolescence and, in the case of congenital heart disease, into adulthood. Our comprehensive surgery program is the only one in South Carolina, and, with an overall 30-day survival rate of 99%, ranks among the best in the world. The combination of specialized advanced technology and an individualized approach to each patient in an intimate, attentive environment ensures this continued success. The number of surgical procedures we perform has steadily increased every year since 1996 through ever growing regional, national and international referrals. The high standard of care maintained by Children s Heart Center surgical specialists is reflected in our achievements: A 99 percent 30-day survival rate for all surgical procedures from A 94 percent discharge survival rate for the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome from Special expertise in reconstructive surgery for the correction and palliation of all forms of cardiac defects in infants, children and adolescents Emphasis and excellence in early complete repair during infancy Surgical management of patients with congenital heart disease from premature neonate to adult Innovative improvements in surgical techniques and operative strategies such as heart-lung bypass, blood preservation, and minimally invasive surgery One of the country s only dedicated Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Units (PCICUs), the 12-bed PCICU has the latest technology and is designed specifically for the critical care of all pediatric cardiac cases, including postoperative monitoring and management Ross repair for aortic valve replacement and valve-sparing aortic root replacement for Marfan Syndrome 24 hour Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator (ECMO) availability Biventricular pacemaker therapy and pediatric Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) The first implantation of the Berlin Heart Ventricular Assist Device in the Southeast 2 MUSC Children s Heart Center

4 Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Providing world-class surgery requires a team approach. An essential part of any surgery is managing pain. Children with congenital and acquired heart disease have special needs when it comes to anesthesia. Lead by the Chairman of Anesthesia Dr. Scott Reeves and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Anesthesia Dr. Frank McGowan our dedicated team of 6 specialized pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesiologist, are best qualified to plan safe anesthesia for each child individualized based on age, weight, diagnosis, type of surgery/procedure and past history. There services include: Evaluation of the child and discussion with parents prior to the procedure Individualized comprehensive management during surgery including anesthetic drugs, management of cardiovascular drugs, and transfusion of blood products Anesthetic care of children undergoing cardiac catheterizations, electrophysiology studies, and advanced cardiac imaging studies Anesthetic management of children with congenital heart defects undergoing noncardiac surgery including the coordination of multidisciplinary providers Development and refinement of strategies, equipment, drugs and techniques to optimize outcomes Tracheal Stenosis Program Congenital tracheal stenosis due to complete tracheal rings is a life-threatening problem requiring surgical treatment in the great majority of cases. Approximately half of children with congenital tracheal stenosis have concomitant congenital heart anomalies. Surgical management generally includes slide tracheoplasty that is performed on cardiopulmonary bypass. Associated cardiovascular anomalies are addressed during the same procedure. Successful treatment requires a team comprised of several pediatric subspecialists: cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, otolaryngologists, and anesthesiologists. With experienced specialists in all of these areas, MUSC Children s Hospital has excelled in the treatment of these complex patients. To date, our oneyear survival rate after slide tracheoplasty is 100%. 4 MUSC Children s Heart Center

5 Heart Failure and Transplantation The MUSC Children s Heart Center is a pioneer in the treatment of end-stage heart failure in children and offers the only heart transplant program in South Carolina. For over two decades, the Children s Heart Transplant Program has made this lifesaving surgery an option for patients who no longer respond to medical treatment. Our multidisciplinary team of transplant specialists includes surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, psychologists, advanced nurse practitioners, and social workers delivering comprehensive patient care with the highest survival rate in the Southeast. Up to a third of children waiting for a heart transplant die each year due to the scarcity of suitable donor organs. Doctors at MUSC use a variety of mechanical circulatory support devices to stabilize high-risk patients and bridge them to heart transplant. In addition to ventricular assist devices like the Berlin Heart and Thoratec PediMag, our pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons perform extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation around the clock. A recommendation for heart transplant surgery is made after all of the most advanced medical options have been fully explored: Proven and new agents for heart failure in children, such as milrinone, carvedilol and nesiritide Comprehensive screening, diagnosis and management of all forms of heart muscle failure or cardiomyopathies Pulmonary vasodilator therapy for pulmonary hypertension, including agents such as bosentan (Tracleer) and sildenafil (Revatio) Diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization Aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment for myocarditis, including immunoglobulin therapy Our expertise in the surgical management of heart failure includes: ABO-incompatible heart transplantation for infants Leading center in the diagnosis and treatment of antibody mediated rejection Heart transplantation when necessary for all congenital cardiac defects Minimally invasive implantation of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) in infants and small children Outpatient intravenous medication administration until donor heart is available Access to extracorporeal membrane oxygenator and ventricular assist device a lifesaving bridge to transplant until a donor heart is available 6 MUSC Children s Heart Center

6 Interventional Cardiac Catheterization The MUSC Children s Hospital has two pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratories staffed by two dedicated pediatric interventional cardiologists. We perform approximately 600 cardiac catheterizations each year. Our interventional cardiologists consistently use leading edge techniques and equipment to prevent or postpone high risk complex cardiac surgery. These procedures do not require a surgical incision and the patient is often able to go home the same day or the following day. Interventional catheterization procedures can be used to repair the following defects: Atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) Ventricular septal defects (VSD) Patent ductus arterosus (PDA) Coronary artery fistulas Mechanical perivalvar leaks Catheter deployed pulmonary valve placement Balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonary and aortic valve stenosis We commonly intervene with high-pressure balloon angioplasty, cutting balloon angioplasty and balloon expandable stenting to address blood vessel narrowings including pulmonary artery stenoses, aortic coarctation, and systemic venous stenoses. Our team also performs numerous hybrid interventions wherein surgical and transcatheter techniques are combined in selected patients to provide the optimal, patient specific cardiovascular solution. Our outcomes for catheter-based therapy are among the best in the country and we are actively participating in the first national registry for congenital cardiac catheterizations laboratories, the IMPACT registry, which is an American College of Cardiology National Cardiovascular Data Registry (ACC-NCDR). The MUSC Children s Hospital has been a leader in the field of interventional pediatric cardiology since the early 1990 s. We are currently co-investigators in several national studies including the MAGIC national intervention database, the Congenital Cardiovascular Interventional Study Consortium, FDA phase 3 trial for the Amplatzer Duct Occluder II device, post-market FDA trial for the Amplatzer Septal Occluder device and Ventricular Septal Occluder device. The MUSC Children s Heart Center was the first congenital heart disease program in the United States to perform device closure of multiple ventricular septal defects with real-time 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic guidance and is a leader in the field of novel imaging guided interventions such as 3D transesophageal echocardiographic intervention guidance. 8 MUSC Children s Heart Center The physicians in the congenital cardiac catheterization laboratory were the first in the state of South Carolina to perform catheter-deployed valve implantation, making MUSC children s Hospital the statewide leader in catheter-deployed valve technology. To support these efforts, MUSC is building a state-of-the-art hybrid catheterization suite specifically for patients with congenital heart disease.

7 Echocardiography Fetal Cardiology Echocardiograms provide pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons with the best way to diagnose congenital heart defects. The Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratory at MUSC enjoys national recognition for excellence in diagnostic capabilities. Since 2001, we have been one of a select group of Pediatric Echocardiography Laboratories with continuous accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for Accreditation of Echocardiography Laboratories (ICAEL). We perform over 8,000 echocardiograms annually. One area of special interest and expertise is three-dimensional echocardiography, a new modality, with which most centers around the country only have passing acquaintance. At MUSC, we have integrated 3D imaging into our studies because the targeted use of 3D echocardiography is an invaluable addition to our diagnostic capabilities. Our surgeons find the added information from 3D imaging very helpful in repairing complex heart defects. We have developed an international reputation for our expertise and research contributions in this area. As part of our mission to educate our colleagues, we regularly conduct training workshops and symposiums. Our Echocardiography Laboratory performs trans-esophageal echocardiograms to guide surgery and trans-catheter interventions. A large proportion of children with heart defects can now be diagnosed in early pregnancy. While this is a difficult time for families, we are committed to ensuring that they obtain as much information as possible to prepare themselves for the baby s birth and subsequent course. We work closely with a statewide network of obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine experts, pediatric cardiologists and surgeons, all of whom work together to ensure the best possible level of care. Regardless of where they live, our goal is to have the mothers of babies with critical heart disease deliver at MUSC in order to minimize postnatal transport and the resulting medical and emotional stress to both mother and baby. Mothers visit MUSC for detailed imaging of the baby s heart and confirmation of the defect. At this visit, we define the maternal follow-up, timing and mode of deliveries, and the post-delivery plan for the baby. After this visit, the mothers go back home and continue follow-up with their local physicians until the planned time of delivery at MUSC. Dr. Sinai Zyblewski, Director of Fetal Cardiology, and Frances Woodard, CPNP, our Fetal Coordinator, help to ensure the continuity of care. Ms. Woodard and our Social Workers help families to obtain affordable housing during the days and weeks ahead. In South Carolina, as many as 90% of babies with hypoplastic left heart syndrome are now diagnosed prenatally, and are delivered at our surgical center in Charleston. Babies are taken directly from the delivery room to the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU). Surgical reconstruction of hypoplastic left heart syndrome has become a benchmark of technical quality for cardiac surgical programs. The results of the Norwood procedure at MUSC are among the best in the world. We are committed to clinical research to improve short and long term outcomes for children born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. As one of only 9 North American sites in the NIH sponsored Pediatric Heart Network, MUSC has actively participated in the largest surgical trial ever performed in congenital heart surgery; a randomized controlled trial comparing the Blalock-Taussig shunt to the right ventricle to pulmonary artery shunt in the Norwood procedure. 10 MUSC Children s Heart Center MUSC Children s Heart Center 11

8 Advanced Cardiac Imaging The Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit The Children s Heart Center of South Carolina is one of the few pediatric centers in the country to possess state-of-the-art programs in both cardiac computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cmri). Utilizing precise protocols, which are specifically tailored for patients with congenital heart disease, the cardiac team at MUSC is able to evaluate cardiac anatomy and function in order to optimize surgical planning and treat patients more effectively. Working in collaboration with the Department of Radiology, the Heart Center benefits from cutting-edge imaging technology. MUSC has the most advanced scanners in the industry, allowing for highly accurate images of the beating heart, while minimizing radiation exposure. The physicians at MUSC have led ground-breaking research into imaging protocols and are currently involved in projects evaluating techniques to minimize radiation exposure in children undergoing these studies. Furthermore, these new scanners are specifically designed with patient comfort in mind. A wide tube design minimizes claustrophobia, allowing us to image patients who previously would have required sedation or anesthesia. Additionally, the scanner is equipped with headphones, allowing the patients to listen to music during the study. Images and functional information acquired from these studies are processed and analyzed using the most advanced image processing software available. This software allows the cardiologists to construct 3D images of cardiovascular anatomy, which is then shared with the treating cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in order to tailor management strategies. The Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) is a 12 bed state-of-the-art area specifically designed and staffed with experts in the field. Dr. Andrew Atz has been the Director of the PCICU since his arrival to MUSC in Dr. Atz is a leader in the field of pediatric cardiac critical care medicine and has been on the Board of Directors of the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society since its inception. The physicians and staff provide comprehensive care for complex medical and surgical patients from newborns to adults. The PCICU is the only unit of its kind in the Carolinas - and one of a few in the country - dedicated exclusively to pediatric heart care. The PCICU is equipped to provide the highest complexity therapies including administration of inhaled nitric oxide, and employment of mechanical cardiac support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and ventricular assist devices. The team has a specific cardiac focus and includes specialized nurses, respiratory therapists, a pharmacist, clinical assistants, clinical nutritionists, as well as specifically trained physicians in pediatric cardiology and critical care medicine. The environment promotes a culture of safety. The PCICU boast hospital acquired infection rates well below the national average, with only 2 central line associated blood stream infections during the 19 month period of January 2010 through July The unit has its own waiting room dedicated solely for families with a child in the PCICU, complete with computers with Internet access, televisions, a private consultation room and a private lactation room for breastfeeding mothers. This waiting room is staffed by a guest relations specialist who assists families with lodging, transportation and other needs. Visit to read more about this unique area. 12 MUSC Children s Heart Center MUSC Children s Heart Center 13

9 Electrophysiology and Ablation Services Adult Congenital Heart Disease The MUSC Children s Heart Center has a long history of providing pioneering catheter ablation services to patients throughout the United States and the world. Dr. J. Philip Saul, Director of the Children s Heart Program since 1997, performed the first radiofrequency catheter ablation for a child with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) in 1990 while at the Children s Hospital Boston. He has since pioneered a number of other procedures in the United States, including the first use of cryo-ablation therapy to treat an arrhythmia in a child. Dr. Saul has been involved with more than 2000 ablation procedures more than 1000 since joining MUSC in 1997 with an overall success rate of 98%, and nearly a 100% success for WPW and most supraventricular tachycardias. The Arrythmia Service provides: Radiofrequency ablation where radio waves are delivered through the tip of a catheter to heat a small area of the heart muscle responsible for maintaining an arrhythmia. The technique can be used to treat and cure most rapid heart. Cryo-ablation uses a catheter tip to freeze the abnormal heart tissue similar to the heating with radio waves. One key advantage of this technique is reversibility when first applied, making it safer for some arrhythmias than the radiofrequency technique. The Children s Heart Center at MUSC pioneered this technique in 2003, just a few days after it was approved for use in the United States. 3D computerized mapping and ablation using both the Biosense Webster and Endocardial Solutions mapping systems, providing state-of-the-art tools for treating the most complex rhythm abnormalities in the most complex patients. Today more than 95% of the children born with congenital heart disease will survive to adulthood. These adults represent a growing population of patients who have pediatriclike heart disease but face the usual issues of adult life education, jobs, marriage and family. Their issues often require the expertise of specialists who understand both the complex nature of their heart condition as well as the medical and social issues faced by young adults. To address these needs The MUSC Children s Heart Center has developed a program with a combined management team consisting of adult and pediatric cardiac specialist who can provide both perspectives. This multidisciplinary approach has proven to be the best way to care for this complex group of patients. MUSC s Adult Congenital Heart Program utilizes: Adult and pediatric interventionalists Congenital cardiac surgeons Advanced cardiac imaging Echocardiograms Electrophysiologists Nurse Practitioners Heart Health Program The Heart Health Program is both the pediatric weight management program of the MUSC Children s Hospital and the preventive cardiology service of the Children s Heart Center. As a family-centered and lifestyle-oriented program, Heart Health is appropriate for any child or adolescent who has abnormal weight gain and/or associated cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or pre-diabetes. Heart Health teaches families how to improve diet and lifestyle in order to manage weight and improve cardiovascular risk factors through a series of one-on-one counseling sessions and group education sessions. The program is delivered by Janet Carter, MS, RD, LD, a Registered Dietitian, and medically monitored by Dr. Melissa Henshaw. Heart Health is a long-awaited opportunity for children and adolescents to receive comprehensive, family-focused, individualized weight management and health counseling by a Registered Dietitian under close medical supervision. 14 MUSC Children s Heart Center MUSC Children s Heart Center 15

10 Research History has shown that the best way to optimize patient care is the take what we learn in research labs and apply it in a way that enhances patient care. That is the vision of the Charles P. Darby Children s Research Institute (CRI). Opened in February 2005, the CRI is the largest and most comprehensive pediatric research facility in the Carolinas and one of only 15 in the country. The work being performed in the 150 stateof-the-art laboratory modules raises the level of care not only at MUSC Children s Hospital, but throughout the entire region. It allows our hospital to translate cutting-edge research into the latest treatments for the children of South Carolina. The 121,000 sq. ft. building provides space for researchers in 14 programs, each with investigators representing multiple departments and disciplines. The faculty of the MUSC Children s Heart Center realize that participation in both laboratory and clinical research is the path towards a better future for our patients and their families. We are involved in a wide variety of projects with the hope for future impact and have received numerous grants to support these projects, including: Understanding the basic development of the heart with the potential for identifying methods to modify the structure of the heart for a natural repair Bioengineering of tissue structures such as vessels or valves made from a patient s own cells to use in a surgical repair Development and testing proteins that help tissue heal without scars Development and testing new techniques for catheter ablation to treat heart rhythm abnormalities Participating, since inception 10 years ago, as one of 9 primary centers in the Pediatric Heart Network of the National Institutes of Health, a group that pioneers new clinical strategies for caring for children with heart disease Developing and participating in numerous clinical trials at MUSC to improve our patient care and procedural outcomes This commitment to research is evident in that the faculty of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology have amassed an impressive contribution to the field of Pediatric Cardiology and generated as author or co-author over the last 5 years: 167 papers in prominent peer reviewed journals 122 abstracts presented at international, national and regional meetings 27 chapters in prominent textbooks 275 invited talks to share their expertise at international, national and regional meetings 16 MUSC Children s Heart Center

11 Fellowship Training Program The Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Training Program at MUSC has been accredited by the ACGME since It has been supported by a Training Grant from the NIH since We train our fellows to become the leaders of tomorrow in the areas of patient care, teaching and research. Our fellows have a strong record of academic productivity in the area of clinical research. Over the past five years, current and former fellows of our program have secured a number of national honors that attest to their excellence. These honors include: Five fellows have obtained grant funding to further their careers in clinical research at MUSC: from the NIH, the American College of Cardiology, the American Society of Echocardiography and Leducq Foundation Five fellows have completed a Masters of Science in Clinical Research Four fellows have obtained grants from the NIH as part of the highly competitive NIH Loan Repayment Program, which rewards fellows who dedicate their careers to academics. Five fellows have been selected finalists at Young Investigator Competitions, and have been invited to present their research at National Meetings On six occasions, our fellows have been awarded Travel Grants by national societies to attend their meetings across the country. The program s success is indicative of the highly supportive academic environment, rich in mentorship and the spirit of scientific enquiry. 18 MUSC Children s Heart Center

12 Nursing Family-Centered Comprehensive Care The pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, step-down unit, cardiac catheterization laboratories and same day observation unit are all staffed by registered nurses with expertise in managing children with heart defects. They have the training, skills and desire to help deliver the best patient-and family-centered care, regardless of age, and are part of an active multidisciplinary team dedicated to prevent and minimize pain and distress as much as possible. Behavioral and psychological techniques as well as non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments are used, with the goal of preventing and minimizing pain without simply medicating the child. Family support and waiting services Hospital, medical and surgical experiences can be upsetting and stressful for children and their families. The staff at MUSC Children s Hospital recognizes we are not simply treating the heart disease, but caring for the whole child and his or her family. The team utilizes their skills to support and promote the developmental progress and emotional wellbeing of children and their families. This is accomplished through child life specialists and the Child Life Atrium. Child life specialists Child life staff have specialized training and experience in understanding children s reactions to illness and hospitalization. The Child Life department is staffed by professionals who hold degrees in child life, child development, education and related fields. The purpose of the Child Life program is to encourage emotional well-being and normal development in healthcare settings through the use of play, education and support. The goals of the Child Life department are to: Facilitate play opportunities at the bedside and in playrooms that enhance continued growth and development Create a sense of normalcy by helping children maintain independence, self-esteem and control Minimize stress by encouraging positive coping behaviors Help children prepare for and understand medical procedures and experiences 20 MUSC Children s Heart Center

13 Family support and waiting services (continued) Family-Centered Comprehensive Care Child Life Atrium The Child Life Atrium is a safe haven where there are no invasive medical procedures or questions. It includes age-specific areas designed to meet the interests of infants and toddlers, school-age children and teens. Additional support for the family includes: Chaplains available around the clock to assist with the spiritual and emotional needs of children and their families Social workers and case managers to assist with financial and practical resources for families An on-site teacher available to help children continue with school work during hospitalization Interpreters available 24 hours per day to facilitate communication with families of all ethnic backgrounds Accommodations in the nearby Ronald McDonald house available for families with children in the PCICU. Private cardiac step-down rooms designed with children in mind, with in-room sleeping available for family members A location convenient to lodging, shopping, dining, historic attractions and beaches for family time away from the hospital Access to Carepages, an online personal tool that parents can use to post updates on their child s recovery and receive support 22 MUSC Children s Heart Center

14 Referring a Patient Access to Care To make a referral to one of our specialists at the heart center, please contact MUSC s dedicated consultation telephone service, MEDULINE, at or (843) in the Charleston area. Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will put you in immediate contact with the cardiac specialist you need to assist with management prior to transport and arrange all transport issues. You can also visit physicianportal.muschealth.com/refer to make a referral online. We work closely with all referring physicians, as evidenced by the Children s Heart Program of South Carolina s design. We encourage collaboration with our colleagues in the management of patients and understand the importance of keeping the primary cardiologist abreast of their patient s condition. We are very aware of the emotional support a family receives from a simple hello from their primary physician. We are sensitive to the physician-to-patient relationship and encourage families to return to their primary physician after treatment. Our team will continue to work with the referring physician after treatment with any support needed to ensure the highest level of patient care. MEDUCARE MEDUCARE is MUSC s highly skilled and dedicated pediatric and neonatal transport team available around the clock to transport patients from referring hospitals who need immediate medical intervention. Depending on the needs of the child, MEDCUARE arranges emergency medical transportation using its own hospital based on site helicopter, plane or ground ambulance services. All transportation modes function as mobile intensive care units with much of the same equipment as that in our PCICU. The transport team is pediatric trained and equipped to provide child-specific care during transport. It is often possible for a parent to travel with his or her child. Insurance information The MUSC Children s Hospital is dedicated to working with health insurance providers and other payers to offer convenient hassle-free access to our premier Children s Heart Center. 24 MUSC Children s Heart Center

15 MUSC Children s Hospital Highlights Cardiac surgeons in the Children s Heart Center at MUSC specialize in repairing heart problems, ranging from the relatively simple to the most complex. Our surgery program reports all data to the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) database and achieves outcomes among the best in the world. We are dedicated to an individualized approach to the care of each patient in an intimate, attentive environment. Our pediatric cardiac surgery program began in the mid-1970s and is the only pediatric cardiac surgery program in South Carolina. Due to an increasing number of referrals from inside and outside the state, the number of cardiac surgical procedures has steadily increased over the last 15 years and our surgeons now perform more than 400 major operations each year. The 30-day operative survival rate for all operations over the last 4 years has been 99 percent, with discharge survival at 98 percent. The Children s Heart Program of South Carolina Since the earliest days of congenital heart surgery, all of the specialists caring for children with heart disease in the state of South Carolina have worked together to coordinate care and provide the best possible outcomes to our patients. Today more than 20 pediatric cardiologists throughout South Carolina and 2 pediatric cardiac surgeons in Charleston provide that coordinated care. Cardiology groups are based in 4 locations Charleston, Columbia, Greenville and Florence with outreach clinics in a variety of other statewide cities. Outstanding outcomes coupled with an individualized approach to each patient has resulted in referrals now coming from across the southeast as well as many foreign countries To optimize the care of the most critical patients, all of the surgical and catheterization procedures are performed in The Children s Heart Center at the MUSC Children s Hospital. This system allows for the highest level of care by the specialized teams described in this brochure while still assuring that most of the patient s care is delivered closer to home. This coordinated approach is unique to our state and we are proud to work so closely with our statewide colleagues to provide it. 26 MUSC Children s Heart Center

16 The Children s Heart Program of South Carolina Charleston-Medical University of South Carolina J. Philip Saul, MD Division Director saulp@musc.edu Robert H. Anderson, MRCP Visiting Professor andersh@musc.edu Andrew M. Atz, MD Director, Cardiac ICU atzam@musc.edu G. Hamilton Baker, MD Interventional Cardiology baker@musc.edu Varsha Bandisode, MD Interventional Cardiology bandisvm@musc.edu Scott M. Bradley, MD Cardiothoracic Surgery bradlesm@musc.edu Ryan Butts, MD Heart Transplant/Cardiomyopathy butts@musc.edu Nicole Cain, MD Electrophysiology cainn@musc.edu Geoffrey Forbus, MD Echocardiography, Cardiac ICU forbus@musc.edu Eric M. Graham, MD Cardiac Intensive Care grahamem@musc.edu Dieter Haemmerich, PhD Cardiac Research haemmer@musc.edu Melissa Henshaw, MD Preventive Cardiology, Obesity henshawm@musc.edu Anthony M. Hlavacek, MD Echocardiography, CT/MRI hlavace@musc.edu Minoo Kavarana, MD Cardiothoracic Surgery kavarana@musc.edu Kyu-Ho Lee, MD, PhD Cardiac Research leekh@musc.edu Arni Nutting, MD Echocardiography, CT/MRI nutting@musc.edu Andrew J. Savage, MD Director, Heart failure savageaj@musc.edu Mark Scheurer, MD Director, Outcomes Research, PCICU scheure@musc.edu Girish S. Shirali, MD Director, Echocardiography shiralig@musc.edu Sinai Zyblewski, MD Director, Fetal Program, PCICU chois@musc.edu Ali Burnette, RN Transplant Coordinator linneman@musc.edu Patricia Infinger, CCRP Clinical Research infingep@musc.edu Aparna Choudhury, BS Clinical Research choudhur@musc.edu Janet Carter, MS, RD Coordinator, Heart Health carterjr@musc.edu Patricia Hussey, RN Pacemaker/Arrhythmia Clinic husseyp@musc.edu Jennifer Reeves, PA-C Cardiothoracic Surgery flynnje@musc.edu Cathy Rubinstein, MSN,FNP Cardiothoracic Surgery rubinsc@musc.edu Amy Simmons, RN Pacemaker/Arrhythmia Clinic simmonsa@musc.edu Frances Woodard, MSN, CPNP Pediatric Nurse Practitioner klinefl@musc.edu Patient Scheduling Columbia Richland Memorial Hospital Sharon J. Kaminer, MD Pediatric Cardiology Sharon.Kaminer@uscmed.sc.edu C. Osborne Shuler, MD Pediatric Cardiology Osborne.Shuler@uscmed.sc.edu Matthew Wienecke, MD Pediatric Cardiology Matthew.Wienecke@uscmed.sc.edu Luther C. Williams, MD Pediatric Cardiology Luther.Williams@uscmed.sc.edu Florence McLeod Hospital Charles A. Trant, MD Pediatric Cardiology ctrant@mcleodhealth.org Greenville Greenville Hospital Systems Benjamin S. Horne, MD Pediatric Cardiology bhorne@ghs.org Jon Lucas, MD Pediatric Cardiology jlucas@ghs.org David G. Malpass, MD Pediatric Cardiology dmalpass@ghs.org Manisha Patel, MD Pediatric Cardiology mpatel@ghs.org R. Austin Raunikar, MD Pediatric Cardiology rraunikar@ghs.org