Nathan W. Taggart, M.D.

Nathaniel W. Taggart, M.D., is a pediatric and adult congenital interventional cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he serves as vice chair for clinical practice in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology and professor of pediatrics at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. He also holds a joint appointment in the Division of Interventional Cardiology and Ischemic Heart Disease within the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. Dr. Taggart provides comprehensive care for children and adults with congenital and structural heart disease, specializing in minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures to repair heart defects and improve cardiovascular outcomes.

Dr. Taggart's commitment to congenital cardiology began before his formal training, shaped by the loss of a young child with congenital heart disease he met abroad. That experience continues to guide his compassionate, patient-centered approach to care.

Areas of expertise

Dr. Taggart's clinical practice includes the evaluation and minimally invasive treatment of congenital and structural heart conditions in children and adults.

• Diagnostic cardiac catheterization: Detailed evaluation of heart structure and function, including pressure, blood flow, and oxygen assessments
• Balloon angioplasty and valvuloplasty: Minimally invasive treatment for narrowed vessels or valves, including the pulmonary arteries and aorta
• Stent placement: Catheter-based support for narrowed or obstructed cardiovascular structures
• Transcatheter closure of heart defects: Device-based repair of atrial septal defects (ASD), ventricular septal defects (VSD), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and other abnormal vascular connections
• Transcatheter heart valve replacement: Percutaneous valve therapies for dysfunctional pulmonary and tricuspid valves

Research and professional highlights

Dr. Taggart is dedicated to improving outcomes for patients with congenital heart disease through innovation, research, and education. As director of the Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program at Mayo Clinic, he mentors future pediatric cardiologists while contributing to advancements in congenital interventional cardiology. His research and publications focus on transcatheter therapies and lifelong management of congenital heart conditions.

In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Taggart has participated in international medical service missions to Russia, Peru, Costa Rica, India, and Kazakhstan. Fluent in Russian, he connects cross-culturally in both teaching and care settings. Dr. Taggart earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed residency, chief residency, and fellowship training in pediatric cardiology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, followed by advanced fellowship training as a Mayo Foundation Scholar in congenital interventional cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco.