UPMC Children’s Heart Institute Congenital Heart Surgery Program Again Attains Highest Rating From Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh participated in the 31st Harvest of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database. From 2016 to 2019, our program has received consecutive Three-Star ratings. This year, the star ratings from STS were replaced by recognition of observed risk-adjusted mortality relative to expected mortality.

The most recent data analysis included procedures performed from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2020. For this window, UPMC Children’s overall non-risk adjusted mortality rate was 1.82%, with the overall mortality rate for all other North American institutions participating in the STS analysis standing at 2.67%. 

For the metric of observed-to-expected mortality ratio (O/E Ratio), the UPMC Children’s program attained an overall ratio of 0.56 (0.35, 0.84, 95% CI), giving the program an adjusted mortality rate of 1.49%. Our institution’s “observed mortality was less than expected based on the institution’s case-mix.” 

“The rating from STS for our congenital heart surgery program is the product of our multidisciplinary team’s tireless dedication to patient care, technical innovation, surgical skill, and ongoing research efforts designed to give as many patients as possible with complex, congenital heart conditions the chance at a full, normal, and vibrant life,” says Victor O. Morell, MD, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery; Eugene S. Wiener Professor of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery; Vice Chair and Director Cardiovascular Services, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery; Surgeon-In-Chief, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh; Chief, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Co-Director; UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute; and Co-Director of the Heart Institute at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.