Our Outcomes | Overview
Despite treating some of the most complex pediatric heart conditions in the world, Boston Children's Department of Cardiac Surgery has some of the best success rates. We achieve these favorable outcomes while treating more than four times the number of patients treated at most pediatric heart centers in North America.
For instance, from July 2019 to June 2023, we performed 56 “arterial switch” procedures to treat transposition of the great arteries (TGA), compared with the North American case volume average of 18 procedures, according to the Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS). We had a 100-percent survival rate for those 56 procedures; the STS survival rate was 98.07.
Similarly, over that four-year span we performed 103 “off bypass” operations (stabilizing the heart while it continues pumping during surgery) to repair coarctation of the aorta. The STS case volume average was 29 procedures over that time. We had a 100-percent survival rate for those 103 procedures; the STS survival rate was 99.1 percent.
Other complex conditions we treated during that time for which we achieved excellent results include:
Validation of our approach to safe surgery and speedy recovery
The data on this page reviews case volume, survival rates, and length of hospital stay. It is taken from the Society for Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery database. It includes the most complex heart surgeries. No cases were excluded.
Four-year cardiac surgery case volume
Data for surgery performed: July 2019 - June 2023
Experience allows us to take on the most complex cases
Our depth of experience lets us take on more complex cases than many other heart centers — and it leads to improved outcomes because our surgeons are familiar with the rarest of conditions. We not only recognize how a surgery will benefit a patient but also but how a particular approach to that surgery is beneficial. We’re able to safely push the boundaries of what’s possible because of our expertise treating specific conditions.
Collaboration with cardiologists and specialists from other programs within the Benderson Family Heart Center, as well as other Boston Children’s departments, allows us to create surgery plans that meet patients where they are and help us get them to where they need to be, all the while considering how it affects their health outside of the heart.
Seeing patients’ hearts in 3D creates strong surgical plans
We’re also able to reach excellent outcomes because of what we can see before surgery even begins. The Cardiovascular 3D Modeling and Simulation Program has set a high standard of preoperative planning that allows us surgeons to have a comprehensive view of a child’s heart before surgery and plan the most effective repair procedure. This team of engineers uses the best available engineering software tools to create patient-specific 3D models of a child’s heart and blood vessels for insightful preoperative planning and intraoperative guidance.
Four-year cardiac surgery survival rate comparison
Data for surgery performed: July 2019 - June 2023
Emphasizing post-surgery recovery helps children get better
We are also committed to improving a child’s recovery after surgery. Decisions made before an operation can have a significant impact on how our patients recover. This commitment takes shape through a department-wide effort that is coordinated by our Enhanced Recovery After Cardiac Surgery (ERAS) Program. ERAS’ evidence-based guidelines help children recover better and faster after surgery.
For example, a post-operation length of stay at Boston Children’s for a patient who had “off bypass” surgery for coarctation of the aorta between July 2019 to June 2023 was seven days. The STS average was 13.39 days.
Four-year post-op length of stay
Data for surgery performed: July 2019 - June 2023
Request a second opinion
Our team is always available to offer a consultation or second opinion for you or your child. Visit this page for more information.