About This Program
The Heart Failure, VAD (Ventricular Assist Device), and Transplant Program is a specialty program within the Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin.
The Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program diagnoses, treats, and manages the care of infants, children, adolescents, and adults with congenital heart disease, who either have a heart muscle problem or are experiencing heart failure. Our team is comprised of nationally recognized and highly specialized physicians across different disciplines housed in a single cardiac care unit at Dell Children’s Medical Center. With access to expert staff and advanced technology, we provide a wide range of services, from evaluation, testing, and diagnosis to medical management, rehabilitation, surgery, heart transplantation, and more, to give patients and their families the best quality of life.
The Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program is the first pediatric heart transplant program in Central Texas.
In 2020, the Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program was recognized for successfully performing the first pediatric heart transplant in Central Texas.
The Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program is ranked among the nation's best Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery specialty programs by U.S. News & World Report in 2024-2025.
Treatment Approach
The Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program care team treats patients both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient care is provided in our Cardiac Care Unit, a dedicated 24-bed unit that is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment to manage any and all aspects of your child’s heart problem to keep them as healthy and as active as they can be given their particular problem.
Patients are cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary care team, meaning your child will benefit from the expertise of multiple specialists across a variety of disciplines all focused on helping your child achieve optimal health. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained pediatric and congenital heart surgeons have extensive experience treating heart defects and work alongside a team of pediatric cardiac experts, including including cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, critical care specialists, hospitalists, anesthesiologists, perfusionists, nurses, advanced practice providers, social workers, psychologists, child life specialists, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists, and more, providing unparalleled care for patients and their families every step of the way.
Appointment Information
A member of the Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program care team will contact you within 24 hours and request your child's medical history from their current provider. During your visit, your care team will run various labs and tests, including an echocardiogram and electrocardiogram, perform a physical exam, and run diagnostics, all of which will be reviewed with the patient’s caregiver. Appointment days take place on Thursdays.
For more information about the Heart Failure, VAD, and Transplant Program at Dell Children’s, please call 1-855-324-0091.