Ochsner Hospital for Children Congenital Heart Surgery Program Announces 100 Percent Survival Rates in Neonatal Patients

NEW ORLEANS – Ochsner Health and Ochsner Hospital for Children have released 2019 survival rates for congenital heart surgery patients, which included 100 percent survival for neonatal surgery (ages 0 – 30 days). A summary of Ochsner’s mortality rates, compared with national averages* from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), is as follows:

The 2019 data shows Ochsner’s surgical outcomes are superior to national averages. Notably, since 2017, Ochsner has achieved a 100 percent survival for neonatal heart surgery (ages 0 – 30 days), including the Norwood Procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome – a rare condition where the left side of the heart does not form correctly, requiring the right side of the heart to pump blood to the lungs and body.

Board-certified congenital cardiac surgeon Benjamin Peeler, MD serves as chief of the Ochsner Hospital for Children’s Pediatric and Adult Congenital Cardiac Surgery Program, which provides patients with access to the most advanced treatments and technologies such as single ventricle repair with the Norwood procedure; valvular repair, ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation and heart transplants. Additionally, Ochsner Hospital for Children’s congenital heart program includes a 12-bed state of the art pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CVICU) dedicated to the needs of this group of often complex patients.

“We are proud of the team of national experts we’ve recruited to Ochsner Hospital for Children and their relentless dedication to provide high quality pediatric heart care close to home for Louisiana families,” said Dr. Peeler. “We continuously strive towards improving the delivery of care. Among the areas where we differentiate ourselves is with shorter operative times, shorter time spent on cardiopulmonary bypass, and more accurate repairs. This leads to less complications, faster recovery and shorter time spent in the hospital.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 1 million children in the U.S. living with congenital heart defects. These conditions affect the heart walls, heart valves and blood vessels and can range from simple and symptomless to complex and life-threatening problems. About one in four babies born with a life-threatening or critical heart defect will require surgery within the first year of life.

Pediatric Cardiology at Ochsner

Ochsner’s highly trained congenital heart team includes interventional cardiologists, imaging specialists, pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, pediatric cardiac intensivists, perfusionists and nurses and critical care cardiac specialists. The team works closely with the John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute (JOHVI) to ensure coordination of care for patients of all ages with congenital heart disease – from the tiniest of babies to adults.

For the fourth year in a row, Ochsner Hospital for Children has been named among the top 50 children’s hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice. Ochsner Hospital for Children was recognized in cardiology and heart surgery in the 2020-21 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings.

Ochsner’s expertise in treating complex cases like hypoplastic left heart syndrome has been recognized by its peers and, in 2019, Ochsner Hospital for Children teamed up with Mayo Clinic and other healthcare leaders as a member of the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. The consortium aligns regional centers and an advocacy group into a collaboration led by the Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Program at Mayo Clinic to accelerate innovation and discovery sciences, as well as bring clinical trials and expertise to patients across the country.

Ochsner Hospital for Children has offered exceptional pediatric care for more than 75 years. Ochsner offers the only pediatric heart and liver transplant program in the state, serving over 74,000 children every year with more than 150 physicians specializing in more than 30 pediatric specialties and sub-specialties. Ochsner Hospital for Children’s flagship facility is in New Orleans, with subspecialty clinics across Louisiana and in Mississippi.

For more information about Ochsner’s congenital heart program or to make an appointment, please visit http://www.ochsner.org/chd or call 504-842-0650. For more information about Ochsner’s pediatric cardiology program, visit https://www.ochsner.org/services/pediatric-cardiology.

*National averages represent self-reported data from STS from July 2015 – June 2019.

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About Ochsner Health

Ochsner Health is a system that delivers health to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Gulf South with a mission to Serve, Heal, Lead, Educate and Innovate. Ochsner Health is a not-for-profit committed to giving back to the communities it serves through preventative screenings, health and wellness resources and partnerships with innovative organizations that share our vision. Ochsner Health healed more than 876,000 people from across the globe in 2019, providing the latest medical breakthroughs and therapies, including digital medicine for chronic conditions and telehealth specialty services. Ochsner Health is a national leader, named the top hospital in Louisiana and a top children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. As Louisiana’s leading healthcare educator, Ochsner Health and its partners educate thousands of healthcare professionals annually. Ochsner Health is innovating healthcare by investing in new technologies and research to make world-class care more accessible, affordable, convenient and effective. Ochsner's team of more than 26,000 employees and 4,500 providers are working to reinvent the future of health and wellness in the region. To learn more about Ochsner Health, please visit www.ochsner.org. To transform your health, please visit www.ochsner.org/healthyyou.