We're with You Every Step of the Way
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Our pediatric heart transplant program is part of our pediatric heart surgery program, which offers a full spectrum of medical and surgical treatments for children with congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, and other heart diseases.
Comprehensive Transplant Process
We help you and your family understand your child's medical condition, what to expect from surgery and medical treatment, and how to cope with the realities of having a critically ill child.
Your Child's Team
In addition to a pediatric transplant cardiologist and heart surgeon, your child's team will include financial counselors, transplant coordinators, and advanced-care nurses to help you navigate the entire process. Your transplant coordinator will be the main point of contact for your child's care team and will be able to answer questions about the entire process from the initial evaluation, to surgery, and beyond.
Emotional and Physical Support
We'll also make sure you and your family understand your child's emotional and physical needs before and after a transplant.
Complementary Transplant Care
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Our experts also provide advanced heart therapies and support options before, during, and after surgery.
Advanced Medical Therapies for Heart Failure
We provide the latest medical therapies for heart failure that is not severe enough to warrant a transplant. Your child may be able to participate in clinical trials of new drug therapies for heart failure.
Ventricular Assist Devices
A ventricular assist device (VAD) is a surgically placed mechanical pump that supports a child’s heart. It often serves as a bridge while your child waits for a heart transplant. A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) helps the heart pump oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body. A right ventricular assist device (RVAD) helps pump oxygen-poor blood to the lungs. Some children need a device that does both. Our doctors are skilled in implanting all types of ventricular assist devices.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a system that pumps and oxygenates your child's blood from outside his or her body -- similar to heart-lung bypass machines that are used during heart surgery. It can be used to allow your child's heart and lungs to rest before and after transplant.