Every year, thousands of children all over the world are born with congenital heart defects—ailments that require intricate surgeries and ongoing care. The path for families is replete with uncertainty, apprehension, and hope. During these times of critical need, to have an expert and empathetic surgeon at their side can be the difference between life and death. That's when Dr. Luciana da Silva comes into play. The chief cardiothoracic surgeon at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Dr. da Silva has dedicated her career to healing children with life-threatening heart defects—specifically a rare and complex anomaly called Ebstein's anomaly. With revolutionary procedures and passionate dedication, Dr. da Silva is saving children not only to survive—but thrive.
From Engineering Dreams to Medical Miracles
Dr. da Silva's path to medicine was not linear. A native of Brazil, she studied civil engineering initially, attracted by her passion for numbers and problem-solving. But during economic uncertainty and a dearth of job opportunities, she courageously switched course and decided to study medicine.
I began studying Civil Engineering as I enjoyed mathematics and building," she remembers. "But when job opportunities decreased, I took a turning point decision. I sat for the entrance exams again and was admitted to medical school at the age of 18.
It wasn't only the change into medicine that determined her future—it was the way she tackled it. She felt out of place early on in the clinical environment, where patient success depended on long-term adherence and gradual improvement. It drove her to the high-speed environment of surgery, where she could create an immediate and concrete difference.
Discovering Her Vocation in Heart Surgery
In medical school, a revelatory experience consolidated her passion. A professor took her along to watch surgeries at a private hospital. There, she saw her first heart operation—and everything changed.
"I became infatuated with heart surgery and particularly with congenital heart surgery," she reports. In the face of discouragement, including advice that heart surgery was a man's field, she refused to be deterred. "One instructor advised me to think about cardiology, where there were more women. But I knew my home was in the OR."
She went on to finish a residency in cardiothoracic surgery and later specialized in congenital heart surgery, completing a doctorate at the Federal University of São Paulo. Her course was charted—and her purpose clear.
Revolutionizing Treatment for Ebstein's Anomaly
Following her training, Dr. da Silva and her husband, Dr. José Pedro da Silva—a co-heart surgeon—were invited to UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. They were brought aboard because of their experience with Cone repair, a cardiac surgery method in Brazil that was used to correct Ebstein's anomaly. It had caught the world's eye.
"At UPMC, we were surrounded by a setting that was full of experience, resources, and innovation," she says. "That was where we could advance our work further.
Ebstein's anomaly is an uncommon congenital cardiac defect in which the tricuspid valve is malformed and misplaced, resulting in heart enlargement and eventual heart failure. Collaborating with her husband, Dr. da Silva assisted in the modification of the Cone repair technique—a procedure that reconstructs the valve to normal function without the long-term complications associated with conventional treatments.
Their success created The Dr. Luciana da Silva Center for Ebstein's Anomaly at UPMC. The center unites leaders in cardiac imaging, fetal medicine, interventional cardiology, adult congenital heart care, and electrophysiology—a multidisciplinary force for treating this intricate condition.
Innovating to Save Newborn Lives
Dr. da Silva's work goes beyond conventional techniques. In 2019, her team made history by condensing two complicated procedures—the Starnes procedure and Cone repair—into a staged technique to salvage critically ill newborns.
"Starnes is great for stabilizing the newborn," she says, "but it normally restricts the patient to a single-ventricle route, with long-term complications. By subsequently reversing this using Cone repair, we refurbished the right ventricle and provided these infants with a second opportunity for a normal life."
This novel strategy has been successful in each case they've tried and is now shaping the way Ebstein's anomaly is treated globally.
Establishing Trust, One Family at a Time
Communication and education are equally essential in such high-risk surgeries as medical skill. Dr. da Silva is highly focused on ensuring that families comprehend the procedures, risks, and long-term results.
“Trust is everything. Families need to feel informed and confident in the path we’re taking,” she says. Her transparent, empathetic style helps families make empowered decisions during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
The Power of Collaboration
A cornerstone of Dr. da Silva’s work at UPMC is collaboration. She works alongside a diverse group of specialists—not just in surgery, but also in cardiology, research, and engineering.
"We work with institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon. If we require specialized equipment, we are able to work with engineers to create them," she explains. "Before using anything on people, we test them in animal models."
This multidisciplinary collaboration is expanding the limits of what's achievable in congenital heart care.
Embracing Technology and Preparing for the Future
Technology also has an increasingly important place in her practice. UPMC employs advanced tools such as 3D models of the heart and virtual reality glasses to prepare for surgery, providing surgeons with a better insight into intricate anatomy.
"AI is assisting us in diagnosis and in assessing risk," she says. "Although we don't yet employ it in the operating room, it's an area full of promise for the future."
In spite of these advances, Dr. da Silva recognizes that human talent and artistry remain at the center of surgery. "Surgery, particularly congenital, is akin to painting. Each surgeon has his own style. It takes time, patience, and proper environment to teach others."
Training the Next Generation
With few experienced congenital heart surgeons on the globe, Dr. da Silva is eager to instruct the next generation. But for her, technical competence is insufficient.
"First, honesty—with themselves and with their patients," she responds. "They need to be really passionate about this way of life. It's not so much about surgery; it's about developing relationships with children and families."
Teamwork is another non-negotiable. "You can't do it by yourself. A successful operation needs anesthesiologists, nurses, intensivists—everyone. If you don't get along with people, this is not the career for you."
Shaping a Global Future for Pediatric Cardiac Care
UPMC is recruiting patients from all of Europe and Asia now, and Dr. da Silva sees an even greater global reach in the future. "We're researching how earlier interventions may maintain heart function in the long term," she explains.
With her tireless commitment to children, dedication to ingenuity, and love of mentorship, Dr. Luciana da Silva is redefining what's possible in pediatric heart surgery. Her legacy isn't just in the hundreds of little hearts she's fixed—but in the generations of physicians and families she inspires still.
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