Updates

Heart Transplant Program

Reasons for Pediatric Heart Transplant

Texas Children's Hospital heart transplant programs is one of the largest and most successful in the country. Our dedicated heart transplant team sees some of the rarest and most complex cases allowing us to give each child the best possible outcome. Though there are a number of reasons that lead to heart transplantation in children, the most common reasons are:

  • Cardiomyopathy resulting in end-stage heart failure
  • End-stage or inoperable congenital heart disease that is not treatable by medicines or conventional surgery

Lifespan of a new heart

The goal of a heart transplant is to maximize survival and improve quality of life. The life expectancy of each transplanted heart varies. Many children receiving a heart transplant in childhood may go on to require a second transplant at some point in their adult lives.

Ventricular assist devices

Your child may require a ventricular assist device (VAD) to offer circulatory support until a transplant can be received.

Texas Children's Heart Center is on the cutting-edge of ventricular assist device placement, offering the best VAD tailored to your child's size, diagnosis and needs for both short- and long-term assistance. Learn more about ventricular assist devices and our pediatric heart failure program.