Heart Transplant

Heart Transplantation in Infants and Children

Mayo Clinic has an extensive history in surgically treating congenital heart disease. Treatment revolves around an integrated, team approach to caring for patients, with groups of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons, and other health care staff reviewing and evaluating the treatment of each patient. Specialists also include pediatric cardiovascular radiologists, pharmacists, infectious diseases specialists, and cardiovascular anesthesiologists. The team reviews the diagnostic data of newborns, infants and children with heart disease to determine if a conventional cardiac operation or if cardiac transplantation is most appropriate. After heart transplantion, daily rounds are made in the morning and afternoon with staff representation from all disciplines to insure a proactive, comprehensive treatment management plan.

In addition, transplant patients work closely with a primary nurse and transplant coordinator. The primary nurse provides continuity for the child during the inpatient hospital stay, and will continue to do so if the child should require future hospital admissions at Mayo Clinic. The transplant coordinator provides continuity for the child's outpatient care at the Transplant Center following heart transplantation. These professionals meet with families before, during and after each transplant to educate and familiarize them with the hospital and outpatient settings.