Referring Physicians: Rush Congenital Heart Disease Care

Rush adult and pediatric congenital heart disease specialists collaborate closely with experts in structural heart disease care and can provide minimally invasive treatments for patients whenever possible. About 90% of patients with atrial septal defects are eligible for procedures that rely on device implantation through catheters rather than open heart surgery. Similar catheter-based procedures are available for treatment of patent foramen ovale and repair or replacement of heart valves.

Other adult patients who need surgical intervention or reintervention are treated by a cardiovascular surgery program that consistently ranks among the best in the nation.

And for pediatric patients who require surgery and additional treatment, Rush is affiliated with Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to ensure easy access to pediatric cardiovascular surgeons and other subspecialists such as heart failure and transplant cardiologists and pediatric electrophysiologists.

Who Are Ideal Candidates for Congenital Heart Disease Treatment at Rush?

Any patient with congenital heart disease will find expert, certified care at Rush, including those who require reintervention, those who are transferring their ongoing care and those who have not been diagnosed or shown symptoms until adulthood.

We also offer second opinions on congenital heart disease diagnoses or care plans for all patients with these conditions, including parents seeking pediatric care for their children.

Why Refer Patients Here?

Less invasive procedures: We can treat many congenital heart diseases through minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures. We can also use these procedures to repair and replace valves if patients require reintervention after past treatments.
Advanced diagnostics: Our imaging specialists are experts at congenital heart disease diagnosis through electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, but they also have access to advanced cardiac MRI and coronary CT scanners to diagnose complex cases and confirm successful treatment.
Specialist conferences: Interventional cardiologists at Rush have conferences with specialists from every field of heart care to discuss each patient’s individual case. They create care plans from every perspective to address patients’ whole cardiovascular health. And for our youngest patients, we partner with Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to provide access to pediatric cardiovascular surgeons, electrophysiologists, and heart failure and transplant cardiologists, as well as any additional heart care that children need.
Access to new treatments and trials: Rush heart specialists are engaged in important clinical trials, offering patients treatment not available anywhere else. These trials lead to new treatments and devices. For example, we currently participate in trials for new devices that close atrial septal defects and patent foramen ovale.
Nationally ranked health care: U.S. News & World Report includes Rush University Medical Center on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll and ranks our cardiology and heart and vascular surgery programs among the best in the nation.

What Is the Process for Referring a Patient?

To refer a patient to Rush for congenital heart disease treatment, you can call the Provider Express Line at (312) 947-4725 or learn more on our Refer or Transfer a Patient page where you can find an online referral form. Most referred patients are seen within a week, and many can be seen sooner if all necessary medical records are provided.

The Rush heart and vascular team includes referring physicians on plans and decision making for patient care and communicates all results of testing or treatment. Communication can be made directly via phone calls or texts. Our team can also contact referring physicians’ offices via phone or mailed letter.