Founders and Advisory Board

Suggested Questions to ask the Doctors and/or Surgeons before Open-heart surgery

For a list of hospitals performing pediatric heart surgery, click Here

The following is a list of questions to consider asking the doctors and/or surgeons before heart surgery. These are only suggestions, and will have to be modified to fit your particular situation.

Most surgeons will be up front and honest in answering questions. If you feel that your surgeon is not open to your questions, then you might want to consider finding another one who will be.

Questions about the surgery itself

1. What symptoms make this surgery advisable?
2. What will likely happen if the operation is not done?
3. How will the operation improve health or quality of life?
4. Are there any common complications after the operation?
5. Who will be the patient's cardiologist at (name of hospital) ?
6. How long does the surgery usually take?
7. What's the average length of hospital stay?
8. What kind of follow-up is expected after the procedure?
9. What type of long-term follow-up does one need in the years after surgery (i.e. doctor visits, echos, EKGs, etc.)?
10. Are there any restrictions in lifestyle post-surgery? Weight lifting, high impact sports, or sports of any kind?
11. How do we go about setting up a consultation appointment with the Surgeon?
12. Will the patient need to accompany us to the consultation?
13. Is this a teaching hospital?
14. Who will be doing the surgery? How many surgeons will be in the room?

Questions about the surgeon & rate of success

1. How many (name of surgery) have you done? On adults? On children? On infants under the age of 1? (depending on your particular situation)
2. What has been your success rate? Do you know about long-term success rates?
3. What area do you specialize in? Adult, child, or infant cardiothoracic surgery?
4. How many total heart surgery procedures are done at your hospital each year?
5. What is the overall mortality rate at your hospital?
6. What type of certification do you have? Board certified? Approved by the American Board of Specialties? Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.)?

Other Questions Regarding Pre-Op and Post-Op Care

1. Can parents accompany child to the operating room until they are asleep and can they be in the recovery room when the child awakes?
2. What is 'Plan B' if the surgery cannot be performed for some reason?
3. What would have to happen for you to revert to 'Plan B'?
4. What do you do for blood transfusions - do you take donor blood before surgery? Can family members donate?
5. What type of materials are you going to use (Gore-Tex, human, porcine (for valves), mechanical (for valves) or other)?
6. What will you do for nausea - will you give medication to treat it? How liberally?
7. What will you give for pain meds? How liberally?
8. What kinds of post-op medication will you have the patient on (e.g. aspirin, blood thinner, blood pressure med, etc.)? For life, or approximately how long?