Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has expanded its cardiac care capabilities with the launch of a new Pulmonary Artery Reconstruction (PAR) Program, adding expertise in treating rare and complex vascular conditions in children. The initiative follows the recruitment of Dr. Elisabeth Martin, a pediatric cardiovascular-thoracic surgeon specializing in high-risk congenital heart defects.
The PAR Program focuses on children born with blocked, underdeveloped, or missing pulmonary arteries—the vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. Conditions treated include Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery, and Williams and Alagille syndromes. Dr. Martin’s arrival adds unifocalization surgery to the hospital’s offerings, a procedure used when children lack normal pulmonary arteries and instead rely on disorganized collateral vessels.
During unifocalization, surgeons reconstruct these collateral vessels into a functional pulmonary artery system, improving blood flow efficiency. The procedure is particularly critical for children with pulmonary atresia with MAPCAs or discontinuous pulmonary arteries. Recovery begins in the cardiac intensive care unit, followed by specialized monitoring and potential follow-up surgeries to maintain optimal function.
Lurie Children’s Heart Center, ranked No. 1 in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Newsweek’s 2025 list of America’s Best Children’s Hospitals, combines surgical expertise with a multidisciplinary team. Cardiologists, imaging specialists, anesthesiologists, and intensive care experts collaborate to tailor treatment plans using advanced diagnostics like CT scans, MRI, and cardiac catheterization. The center also provides a full range of services, from fetal cardiology to heart transplantation.
For families traveling from abroad, the hospital offers dedicated support, including medical record coordination, travel assistance, and follow-up care. Social workers, interpreters, and child-life specialists ensure a smoother experience for international patients.
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