Heart Transplant
As part of the only comprehensive pediatric cardiac heart program in Iowa, our transplant specialists use a team-oriented approach to care for patients with congenital (“born with”) heart disease and other forms of heart failure. Since the program was established, more than 50 children have received heart transplants at UI Children’s Hospital.
Our program remains on the leading edge when it comes to heart transplant procedures for children. In addition to using steroid-sparing treatment protocols, we led efforts to minimize unnecessary surveillance biopsies. Our program was one of the first to recognize the superior results of the anti-rejection drug tacrolimus, as well. The program also has a range of pediatric heart-assist devices that are used when needed as “bridges” to transplant.