Why Emily’s parents chose thoracotomy for her atrial septal defect
Cardiac Surgery
Type
Patient Story
After learning their 5-year-old daughter Emily was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD) and would need open-heart surgery, her parents searched for a less-invasive option. They found it at Boston Children’s, where her ASD was repaired with a minimally invasive cardiac surgery procedure known as a thoracotomy. Emily had a speedy recovery — going back to school and gymnastics in a matter of weeks.
Featured Providers
Christopher W. Baird, MD
Benderson Family Chair, Congenital Heart Valve Program; Associate, Department of Cardiac Surgery; Director, Heart Valve Program; Co-Director, Vascular Ring & Airway Program; Surgical Director, Pulmonary Vein Stenosis Program
Associate Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Michael Farias, MD, MBA
Associate Cardiologist, Department of Cardiology
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
