After performing Illinois' first-ever infant heart transplant in 1988, Children's Memorial rapidly became an international resource for pediatric heart transplants.
Through August 2008, the team had performed 141 heart transplants on infants and children with complex con genital heart disease, cardiomyopathies and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
The team behind the program
Credited for developing a technique that reduces the length of time surgical patients need to be connected to a heart-lung machine, program director and head of cardiovascular-thoracic surgery Carl Backer, MD, directs this highly advanced program. Medical director and pediatric cardiologist Elfriede Pahl, MD, is recognized for her investigation of post-transplant complications, such as transplant coronary artery disease.
The surgeons and the cardiologists work closely together in the placement of the
Berlin Heart, a device used as a “bridge” to recovery or to heart transplantation
.
The program is also notable for its approach to comprehensive follow-up care. For example, “Back to School” educates patients, teachers, school staff and peers on heart transplantation, paving the way for a smoother return to the classroom. This program — the first of its kind in the United States — was developed by one of the team's advanced practice nurses who saw its need and created a solution. Today, “Back to School” stands as just one example of nursing dedication and innovation at Children's Memorial.
For more information about the heart transplant program, please email us at SiragusaTransplantWeb@childrensmemorial.org.*
Background on heart transplantation
- Approximately eight out of every 1,000 babies born every year in the U.S. have a heart defect. Children with forms of congenital heart disease previously considered untreatable are now undergoing corrective operations with increasing success; however, in some cases, heart transplantation is the only option.
- Acquired heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy, and congenital defects are the leading causes for most pediatric heart transplants.
- Although they must take medications each day for the rest of their lives to prevent rejection and infection, children have no physical restrictions after heart transplants.
- A heart transplant support group and monthly newsletter help support the parents and families of heart transplant patients at Children's Memorial Hospital.
* PLEASE NOTE: To protect your privacy, it is the policy of Children's Memorial Hospital to discourage the sending of protected health information via e-mail. For questions about possible referrals, please contact the nurses and other staff members at 1.800.KIDS DOC. (1.800.543.7362)