Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery

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Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery

Heart Center

Leaders in pediatric cardiac care, we’re committed to achieving the best possible outcome for every child’s heart

The Heart Center at Children’s Health provides expert diagnosis and effective treatment for the full spectrum of pediatric heart conditions. From cardiac anomalies and fetal diagnosis to life-saving surgical or catheterization intervention, our team of pediatric cardiologists and subspecialists are pioneering the latest innovations in pediatric cardiac care.

Conditions We Treat

Anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, partial or total
Aorto-left ventricular fistulae
Bicuspid aortic valve-associated aortopathy
Cardiac Tumors
Conduits, valved or nonvalved
Congenital contractual arachnodactyly (Beals-Hecht syndrome)
Cyanotic congenital heart (all forms)
Double-outlet ventricle
Duchenne and Becker dystrophinopathy
Ebstein's anomaly
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Eisenmenger syndrome
Endocarditis
Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm
Infundibular right ventricular outflow obstruction of significance
Interrupted aortic arch
Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Myocarditis
MASS phenotype
Mitral Atresia
Pericarditis
Pulmonary vascular obstructive diseases
Single Ventricle (also called double inlet or outlet, common or primitive
Sinus of Valsalva fistula/aneurysm
Sinus venosus atrial septal defect
Subvalvular or supravalvular aortic stenosis (except HOCM)
Thoracic aortic aneurysm and patent ductus arteriosus

We treat all pediatric congenital and acquired heart conditions, but these are among the most common we treat.

Our Programs

Lipid Disorders

Treatments and Services

Adult congenital heart surgery
Amplatzer
Amplatzer duct occluder
Arch advancement
Arterial switch
Atrial switch
Balloon aortic valvuloplasty
Biventricular pacing
BT shunt
Cardiac Anesthesia
Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention
Cardiac Imaging
Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Cardiac MRI for diagnosis
Cardiac MRI stress test
Close monitoring
Coarctectomy
COAST covered stent
Complete atrioventricular canal
Complete intracardiac repair
Cone procedure
Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries
Coronary artery anomalies
Defect closure
Double outlet right ventricle
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
Fontan
Fontan revision
Genetic testing
Glenn
Helex device closure
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement
Interrupted aortic arch
IVIG
Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction
Norwood approach
Partial anomalous pulmonary veins
Patch closure
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) stent
Pericardiectomy
Pericardial stripping
Pericardial window
Pulmonary artery band
Pulmonary valve repair / replacement
Radiofrequency ablation
Repair of coarctation of the aorta
Repair of septal defects
Right ventricular to pulmonary artery conduit
Ross procedure
RV-PA conduit
Sano approach
Septal myectomy
Staged reconstructive surgery
Surgical excision
Total artificial heart
Tracheal or bronchial anomalies
Transannular patch
Transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation
Truncus repair
Valve-sparing repair
Vascular rings and pulmonary arterial sling
VSD occluder device

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Heart doctors at Children's Health perform a heart valve stent procedure

Designated as a Center of Excellence by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association (HCMA)

Heart doctors at Children's Health analyze a patient's imaging results

Radiation-free cardiac catheterization using MRI technology

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The Only Pediatric Heart Transplant Program in North Texas

Our Patient Outcomes Rank Among the Best in the World

Our legacy of excellence in pediatric cardiac care permeates all aspects of our heart program – with a shared commitment to making life better for children and a focus on family involvement. Our patient outcomes rank among the top-rated programs in the world. Find out more in our 2017 Annual Outcomes Report, and read more about these innovative programs and procedures:

Patient Family Resources

Comprehensive and Family-Centered Approach

From first-rate medical expertise to extensive dedicated support services, our multidisciplinary team of specialists works together to meet the full range of pediatric cardiac needs. Cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, cardiac ICU physicians, cardiac anesthesiologists and specialized nurses collaborate to ensure families are in the best hands for their child’s cardiac care from prenatal diagnosis to adulthood. In addition, social workers, child life specialists, pastoral care, development specialists, learning specialists and a psychologist provide essential education and resources every step of the way.

Nationally Recognized Experts in Pediatric Cardiac Care

Ranked among the top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programs in the country, we are dedicated to improving outcomes through innovation and research. With nearly 13,000 outpatient clinic encounters, almost 1,000 inpatient admissions and close to 600 cardiac surgeries every year, our renowned team of specialists are transforming what was once considered “impossible” to “possible” in pediatric cardiac care.

The Heart Center at Children’s Health offers:

One of the largest pediatric catheterization programs in the country, reducing many patients’ need for open-heart surgery
The only pediatric ventricular assist device program in North Texas, pioneering ways to make more advanced technologies available to small children.
An award-winning Safe at Home Program, empowering parents of children with complex heart conditions to care for their child at home between surgical procedures
The only Fetal Heart Program in the nation to receive a Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission, working with expectant mothers from fetal diagnosis through delivery

Related Patient Stories

Using family history to build a healthier future for Arnav

It was a normal Saturday morning for Prem and Sangita in 2010. Their son, Arnav, was 15 months old, and the young family was looking forward to a weekend together. Prem, however, woke up feeling a little off. He was restless and felt a slight pain in his left shoulder. Figuring it was just acid reflux, Prem assured Sangita not to worry. But as he stepped into the living room, Prem started sweating – and then, he passed out. He was having a heart attack.

How a 15-year-old boy survived against the odds

He might look like a typical high school student, but at 15 years old, Aldorsey survived an undiagnosed condition that if left untreated, has a 90% death rate in the first year of life. Although Aldorsey participated in physically demanding sports for years, he never showed signs of a heart condition. A string of coincidences connected his family to the right people when Aldorsey needed help the most.

Teddy thrives with his new heart

Deborah found herself at a crossroads near the end of her pregnancy. She could stay at the hospital she knew so well with the obstetrician who delivered her other children or follow the pediatrician's advice and consider Children's Health.

Natalie becomes a heart warrior

Libby from Amarillo found out during a routine ultrasound at 24 weeks gestation that her baby girl had several serious heart defects. Natalie would need treatment for hypoplastic right heart syndrome, which causes the right side of the heart to be severely underdeveloped, along with tricuspid atresia, ventricular septal defect (VSD) and atrial septal defect.

London thrives after enduring heart defects

London is a vivacious toddler who speaks in full sentences and loves macaroni and cheese. "I mostly forget that she has a problem with her heart," says Chelsey, London's mom.

Rome dreams big after a heart transplant

At just 13, Children's Health patient, Rome has big plans for her life. She's already a straight-A student, a talented singer and dancer, an accomplished violinist, an active member in her church, and, if you ask her, she's just getting started. Rome is adamant that she will be the first black female president of the United States, and anyone who meets her leaves their encounter with little doubt that this young lady will accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

A family takes heart in their darkest days

Like many new parents, when Miguel and Jacqueline were expecting, they dreamt about their child's future. Their hopes and aspirations grew as they prepared to welcome a new life into the world – and on February 22, 2018, their baby girl, Olivia, was born.

22q doesn’t diminish Molly's joy

Before starting kindergarten in August 2018, Molly spent the summer traveling with her family, swimming, spending time in the country with her grandparents and playing dress-up with her big sister. She loves her big sister, ice cream and dogs. Seeing her, you would never guess that her earliest days were spent at Children's Medical Center Dallas.

A young athlete moves forward after sudden cardiac arrest

From the moment she was born, Amanda had been a perfectly healthy child. For 13 years, she experienced and enjoyed all the things a young child experiences – friendships, school and sports. Nowhere along the way was there any indication Amanda may have a heart condition.

A heart transplant gives sisters a chance to be sisters

Jamie and Destin wanted their children to grow up close to one another. "That's the hope and the dream, that we get to have a family life," Jamie says.

A baby boy defies the odds with the support of the Heart Center

On January 11, 2018, Ivan and Amanda welcomed their third child to the world. Baby Isaac looked healthy, and the happy parents took him home from the hospital in El Paso the very next day.

A new heart for a one-in-a-million girl

Though she seemed perfectly healthy during her first year of life, Ellie's pediatrician noticed she wasn't growing at her 12-month appointment. The doctor placed Ellie on a special diet and asked her mom, Michelle, to bring her back in a month. It was at this appointment that the pediatrician first heard a murmur in Ellie's heart.

The power of a hopeful heart

When Casey speaks about her heart condition, it's easy to forget that she’s just a teenager. With bravery, poise and knowledge, she shares how she was born with a heart defect and how now, 15 years later, she's grateful to have received a heart transplant. Casey's mom, Bethany, always knew that a transplant would be the ultimate "fix" for her daughter's condition – she just never imagined it would happen this way.

Fetal Heart Program helps a family prepare and a baby thrive

Josiah is a sweet toddler who is full of energy and joy. He started preschool last fall, has a new baby brother and enjoys proudly reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. His mom, Carrie, says that looking at him, you'd have no idea he's had such a scary journey in his three years - a journey that started at Children's Health even before he was born.

Safe at Home program offers a lifeline to heart patients and their families

Any new or experienced parent can attest to the fact that the early months of even the healthiest child's life comes with its own set of challenges. Lack of sleep, figuring out feedings, tracking developmental milestones – the list goes on.

Confidence in care for a coronary anomaly

When Gabrielle, or "Gabby," was born, she was the fulfillment of her entire family's hopes for a baby girl. The youngest of three children, Gabby's parents and grandparents were excited to dote on the newest edition.

How multidisciplinary care helped a tiny heart patient thrive

Graham was diagnosed with several congenital heart defects shortly after birth. When he was only 18 hours old, he was transferred from his home hospital in Louisiana to the Heart Center at Children's Health. Five days later, he underwent what would be the first of several surgeries to repair his heart.

A high school student sets big goals after a heart transplant

On January 3, 2017, 16-year-old Jose returned to school after a fun and uneventful winter break. The student and active soccer player from Arlington, TX, suddenly started to feel sick: He had a bad headache, fever, nausea and chest pain. He went to the school nurse's office, where he began to feel worse. The nurse called Jose's mom, Marisol, to pick him up from school.

Four lives changed in one week, without missing a beat

From just 12 weeks to 12 years old, four special patients received new hearts all in the same week at the Heart Center at Children’s Health℠. Watch the video above to meet Abby, Adriel, Alex and Phoenix – and celebrate their incredible journey to a renewed opportunity for a happy, healthy life.

A childhood connection leads to a heartfelt career

Erin Hunter, RN, BSN, underwent her first open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot, or TOF for short, when she was just nine months old. She was referred to Children's Medical Center by her physician after her mom noticed she lacked the energy of a typical infant, especially during feedings, and her fingers and lips occasionally turned blue. She would go on to have six additional open heart surgeries by the time she was 11 years old.

Meet the healing power of Badger, the therapy dog

Sam loves his dog, Cookie. When he stayed at Children’s for eight months last year waiting for his second intestinal transplant, he missed his sidekick.