The 1st Department of Thoracic Surgery (1st Cardiac Surgery Department) operates within the “Special Center for the Treatment of Congenital Heart Diseases in Children” (EKASKAP) of “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital of Athens, constituting the only Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center within the National Health System.

The Department specializes in the cardiac and thoracic surgical treatment of pediatric patients of all ages, from premature newborns to adolescents up to 16 years of age. Approximately 100 procedures are performed annually, including a wide range of cardiac surgical interventions for congenital and acquired heart diseases, as well as procedures for congenital or acquired thoracic conditions (inflammatory diseases, neoplasms, congenital abnormalities, etc.).

The Department provides cardiac and thoracic surgical care for cases from “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital and “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA” Oncology Unit, as well as cases referred from throughout the country, on an alternating schedule every other week with the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center.

It has a dedicated operating room available six (6) days per month, as well as a Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit for the postoperative monitoring and support of patients.

The 2nd Department of Thoracic Surgery (2nd Cardiac Surgery Department) is part of EKASKAP at “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital and specializes in the treatment of congenital and acquired heart diseases in children.

The Department performs both open-heart and closed-heart procedures, as well as complex cardiac surgical interventions in newborns, infants, children, and adolescents. The Department operates in close coordination with the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and the Extracorporeal Circulation Department, ensuring comprehensive perioperative care.

The Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CICU) supports the postoperative care of patients undergoing cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures, as well as the hospitalization of critically ill cardiology patients.

It has six (6) beds (three currently operational) and state-of-the-art equipment (ventilators, monitoring systems, specialized beds). Care is provided by specialized intensivists under the scientific supervision of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, as well as by experienced nursing staff.

The Unit provides care for patients of all ages and body weights, from premature newborns to adolescents.

The Extracorporeal Circulation Department supports cardiac surgical procedures by providing specialized expertise in the management of extracorporeal circulation and mechanical support systems.

It actively participates in the perioperative care of complex cardiac surgery cases, ensuring a high level of safety and technical excellence.