< Arkansas Children's Heart Institute

Heart Institute Team

A unified approach to care with a singular purpose.

At Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute, we believe that a multidisciplinary approach is the best way to manage both acquired and congenital heart conditions—not just in terms of a patient’s health but their overall quality of life. That’s why our pediatric specialists work closely to develop the best care plan for each child. From diagnosis to imaging to treatment to aftercare and follow-up monitoring, this tightly integrated team provides a seamless and complete experience. As these children grow into adulthood, the care team helps them transition into our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program for continuity of care.

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Arkansas Children's Hospital is verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons.

The pediatric cardiovascular surgical program features state-of-the-art surgical care for children and adults with congenital heart disease, balanced with utmost compassion and hope. Although our focus is on patients from the south central United States, our pediatric cardiovascular services reach beyond those boundaries to a nationwide and even international level. From the tiniest of neonates with the most complex cardiac malformations to continuing-care adults with conditions present since birth, our outcomes and results are unexcelled anywhere.

Expert Heart Care in Arkansas for Every Child at Every Age

Caring for patients with congenital heart defects means caring for people of all ages. In fact, our successes mean there are many more adults living with congenital heart disease. This has led us to develop a new field of practice focusing on those adult survivors. Our practice includes:

  • Cardiac Care for the Unborn Child - It is not uncommon to find cardiac defects before a baby is born. A detailed ultrasound of an unborn baby may reveal a heart problem. The only specially trained fetal echocardiographers in Arkansas are at Arkansas Children's. A variety of defects and rhythm problems can be identified ahead of time so that high-risk deliveries may be anticipated.
  • Arkansas Cardiology Care for Newborn Infants - Some newborns have defects in heart valves, holes in the walls of the heart (septal defects) or abnormal connection of large blood vessels from the heart (patent ductus arteriosus). Others have weaknesses in heart muscle, coronary arteries, and heart chambers. Still, others have lung artery abnormalities and heart murmurs. Sometimes these problems only require medication for treatment. In more severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary.
  • Cardiac Care for Infants and Children - Older children can have many of the same problems as infants. Some need a follow-up visit with a cardiologist after having a heart operation or to correct a cardiac defect. Rarer afflictions include rheumatic fever, Kawasaki's Disease, Down's Syndrome, Marfan Syndrome or DiGeorge Syndrome. Rhythm problems, dizziness or syncope (fainting or losing consciousness) are common within this age group.
  • Arkansas Cardiology Care for Adolescent and Adults - Heart defect cases originating in childhood are followed and cared for by pediatric cardiology doctors. This unique group of patients requires specialized knowledge of childhood heart disease as it affects them with age. This is particularly important if surgery may be needed or rhythm problems develop.


The Heart Institute at Arkansas Children's takes a comprehensive, team approach customized to treating your child's heart care. A large team of some of the best pediatric cardiologists and intensivists provides excellent diagnostic, interventional treatment and post-operative care to complete the world-class spectrum of support provided in the Heart Institute. With tight collaboration between surgeons and cardiologists, the Heart Institute at Arkansas Children's is able to provide patients and families a seamless continuum of care. The Heart Institute at our hospital functions as a cohesive team to provide cardiac surgical patients with unparalleled care. You'll find its pediatric Heart Institute is state-of-the-art, staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with in-house cardiac-level intensivists. Our center is backed by a team that is totally committed to cardiac care-and our outcomes prove it.

The Arkansas Children's Hospital's Cardiovascular Anesthesia team has the training and experience to focus on the specific needs of patients and manage a range of complex cardiac issues. For patients with heart disease, the pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist has a central role in coordinating team-based surgical care.

The cardiac anesthesiologist:

  • monitors physiologic parameters;
  • protects vital organ function;
  • controls blood coagulation;
  • and reduces the inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass.

Each part of the surgical procedure requires specific attention, including poor heart function before transplantation, the monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass, or assisting the patient's heart in separating from cardiopulmonary bypass. The cardiac anesthesiologist has the ability to monitor the patient's overall well-being, thereby helping to create the optimal environment for a successful cardiac repair procedure, or any other type of procedure on a cardiac patient.

All the support you need in one place

Congenital heart disease is often a bigger challenge than just the heart itself. That’s why our approach to cardiac care includes everything from social workers to nutritionists to neurologists. These additional resources are often critical to supporting the patient in every aspect of their lives—and we offer them all under one roof at the Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute.

Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage is a program dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses document, share and own their stories of survival.

The necklace becomes a tangible symbol of courage for our patients and their families—and a constant reminder to take each procedure one day at a time.