Lurie Children’s Expands World-Class Cardiac Care for Children With Complex Pulmonary Artery Conditions

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive centers for families worldwide seeking treatment for complex congenital heart disease in infants, children, and young adults.

In 2025, the hospital’s renowned Heart Center expanded its expertise by recruiting pediatric cardiovascular-thoracic surgeon Dr. Elisabeth Martin and launching its Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction (PAR) Program.

This highly specialized program focuses on restoring or rebuilding the pulmonary arteries, the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs, in children whose arteries are blocked, underdeveloped or missing at birth. Dr. Martin and her colleagues have advanced training in treating conditions such as Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia and major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs), unilateral absence or discontinuity of a pulmonary artery, single-ventricle physiology and Williams and Alagille syndromes, among others.

Unifocalization

Dr. Martin brings to Lurie Children’s rare expertise in unifocalization, a highly complex surgical procedure used when a child does not have normal pulmonary arteries. In these cases, the body often develops alternative blood vessels called major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs). These vessels are not organized like typical pulmonary arteries, making it difficult for the lungs to receive blood efficiently. During unifocalization, surgeons collect these collateral vessels, along with any native pulmonary artery branches that exist, and reconstruct them into a single functional pulmonary artery system. This rebuilt pathway is then connected to the heart, allowing for more normal and efficient blood flow to the lungs. For many children, particularly those with pulmonary atresia with MAPCAs or discontinuous pulmonary arteries, this surgery can be life-changing. Lurie Children’s is also recognized for its comprehensive perioperative care. Recovery typically begins in the cardiac intensive care unit, followed by close monitoring on a specialized cardiac floor. As children grow, the reconstructed pulmonary artery system requires regular evaluation and some patients may need additional procedures to ensure continued optimal function.

Lurie Children’s Heart Center, ranked No. 1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals 2025, brings together an expert team of pediatric heart surgeons, cardiologists, imaging specialists, anesthesiologists and intensive care experts. This collaborative approach ensures that every child receives an individualized treatment plan based on their unique anatomy and medical needs. Detailed diagnostic imaging, including CT scans, MRI, echocardiography and cardiac catheterization, allows the team to understand each patient’s condition with exceptional precision.

In addition to pulmonary artery reconstruction, the Heart Center provides a full spectrum of services, ranging from fetal cardiology and cardiac disease prevention to pediatric interventional cardiology and heart transplantation.

International Patient Services

Families traveling from abroad benefit from Lurie Children’s extensive experience caring for international patients, including assistance with medical record coordination, travel planning and follow-up care. Social workers, interpreters, child life specialists and dedicated international patient services staff support families throughout their stay.

For children with some of the most complex heart conditions, Lurie Children’s offers advanced surgical expertise, comprehensive multidisciplinary care and a deep commitment to long-term patient well-being.