Specialties | DIVISION OF CARDIOLOGY

Introduction

The David Goldring Division of Pediatric Cardiology at St. Louis Children's Hospital offers the families of infants and children with heart disease the benefit of a world-class team of pediatric cardiologists and health care professionals. We provide a full range of diagnostic studies and therapeutic interventions that cover all pediatric heart problems. In addition we provide teaching and education for students, residents and fellows in the area of congenital heart disease. Our research interests are in the area of cardiac genetics, physiological mechanisms and developing new therapeutic modalities. Our Fetal Congenital Heart Center accommodates women with fetal diagnoses of congenital heart disease.

Patient Care

Outpatient Visits

Outpatient appointments are available at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Missouri Baptist Medical Center in West St. Louis County, and at multiple satellite clinics across Missouri and southern Illinois.

Diagnostic and Non-Surgical Therapeutic Studies

The Heart Station offers a full range of non-invasive testing, including echocardiography (ECHO), electrocardiography (EKG), Holter monitor and event recording, saturation and blood pressure evaluations. Through other departments in the hospital, access is available to other evaluations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine and perfusion scans.

The Diagnostic and Interventional Catheterization Laboratory is at the forefront of diagnosis and treatment of many congenital defects and rhythm abnormalities. Atrial septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus and various other valvar and vascular abnormalities are routinely treated through catheterization procedures without surgery.

The Fetal Congenital Heart Center accommodates women with fetal diagnoses of congenital heart disease.

Cardiac CT and MRI in conjunction with our radiology department are developing innovations to better delineate cardiac diagnosis and anatomy.

Surgery

St. Louis Children's Hospital offers cardiothoracic surgery for the repair or palliation of virtually all forms of congenital and acquired heart disease in children. During an average year, more than 300 open and 90 closed heart operations are performed. The hospital is also recognized as a leading center for heart transplantation, performing more than 20 transplants a year.

In-Patient Services

Inpatient facilities are centered around a newly redesigned and dedicated cardiology inpatient floor and adjacent pediatric intensive care unit. This allows for composite care to be provided to all patients in an age appropriate and comfortable manner. Services are also provided for parents to stay with their children at all times, or in an adjoining parent lounge if necessary.

History

David Goldring, M.D.

When St. Louis Children's Hospital formed its cardiology division, the treatment of heart disease in the young was not a broad medical specialty. David Goldring, M.D., founded the division in 1950 and remained as its director until 1985. The division was named in his honor in 1992. Dr Goldring organized a city-wide campaign to raise funds for a heart-lung machine that would allow surgeons to perform open heart operations. The campaign raised more than $100,000, an astounding sum in 1950s dollars. The heart-lung pump was acquired in 1958, and twenty-five children underwent open heart surgery in that first year. Before children could undergo an open heart operation, cardiac catheterization testing was needed to provide a roadmap for surgeons. Alexis Hartmann Jr., M.D., who joined the division in 1954 and developed the cardiac catheterization service, performed more than 5,000 catheterizations over 40 years.

The division of pediatric cardiology also has a long history of significant clinical research. Some of the first studies of blood pressure measurement were performed in the early 1950s by Dr. Goldring. He also first reported, in 1971, essential hypertension (high blood pressure) in children. In 1962, Dr. Hartmann first described a heart defect termed the two-chambered right ventricle. Early repair of coarctation of the aorta, now considered the standard of care, was first advocated in publications by division members in the 1960s. From those early beginnings, the David Goldring Division of Pediatric Cardiology has developed into a national leader in caring for children with heart disease.

Contact Information

Division of Cardiology
St. Louis Children's Hospital
5 South 20
One Children's Place
St. Louis, Mo.  63110

(314) 454-6095 (Voice)
(314) 454-2561 (Fax)

• F. Sessions Cole, M.D., Acting Director
• Toni Colletti-Cook, Director of Clinical Operations

Patients and Parents

(314) 454-6095 (Voice)
(314) 454-2561 (Fax)
(888) 503-2237 (Toll-free)

Physician Referrals

U.S. Mail

Washington University School of Medicine
Department of Pediatrics
Division of Cardiology
Campus Box 8116
660 S. Euclid Ave.
St. Louis, MO  63110-1093