Peter Pastuszko, MD

Peter Pastuszko, MD, is a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in congenital heart surgery for patients of all ages. With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Pastuszko brings a deep commitment to precision, compassion, and long-term outcomes, while supporting families during some of the most vulnerable moments in their child's life.

He performs surgical repairs for a wide range of congenital heart defects, including complex neonatal procedures such as the Ross operation, Norwood operation, arterial switch operation, and Ebstein's defect repair. His clinical focus includes brain protection strategies for newborns undergoing heart surgery, always keeping the child's future development and quality of life at the center of his care.

He is a clinical professor in the Department of Surgery and director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. His research interests include neonatal and adult congenital heart surgery, with a particular focus on brain protection in children undergoing cardiac procedures.

Dr. Pastuszko is a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society, the Western Thoracic Surgical Association, the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, and the American Heart Association. He also participates in Project Little Hearts, an annual mission trip to India providing heart surgeries for underprivileged children.

When not practicing medicine, Dr. Pastuszko enjoys spending time with his daughters and his beloved dogs.