Transplant Center ExpertsThe Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery is headed by Vaughn A. Starnes, MD, co-director of the Heart Institute and chair of the Department of Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. An internationally recognized transplant authority, Dr. Starnes has performed "firsts," including transplanting a heart and lung into the youngest patient ever—a four-month-old baby. Also within this division are physicians with demonstrated excellence in surgical, cardiology, and pulmonary specialties, along with trained transplant nurse and a full-time transplant coordinator. Our full-spectrum of services include evaluation, pre- and post-operative management and follow-up, surgery, hospitalization in a dedicated cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU), immunosuprression and ongoing coordination with the referring physician. Transplant Resources
Heart Transplant StatisticsThe first heart transplant at our hospital was performed on March 4, 1993. Since then, Children's Hospital Los Angeles surgeons have completed 67 heart transplants. Pulmonary HypertensionThe Heart Institute offers comprehensive care for patients with primary (PPH) and secondary pulmonary hypertension, incuding the West Coast's largest PPH Prostacyclin infusion program—only one aspect of the leading pediatric pulmonary program in the Western United States. With prostacyclin therapy, the five-year survival rate for children with PPH jumps to more than 90 percent, providing a valuable window before transplantation becomes necessary. Outcomes DataEach year, the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients provides outcomes data for hospitals across the country. We compare our measures to other pediatric measures across the nation. Check Our Outcomes Data |