The Heart Institute

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has been a leader in the treatment of pediatric heart conditions since 1929, when it established the first cardiac clinic in Los Angeles.  In 1993, the hospital established the Heart Institute to provide an integrated approach to treating heart and lung disease in children.  The Institute encompasses state-of-the-art programs in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Transplantation, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care, and Cardiac Research.  Uniting these disciplines in one institution enables Childrens Hospital to provide seamless coordination of care and unparalleled medical expertise. 

Childrens Hospital has the largest and most comprehensive pediatric cardiovascular center in the western United States.  Each year, the Heart Institute performs over 600 open-heart surgeries, 960 cardiothoracic surgical procedures, and over 10,000 diagnostic tests.  The Heart Institute at Childrens Hospital has the largest heart and lung transplant program in California and the most successful pediatric living lung transplant program in the country.  Its expert team of surgeons, cardiologists, nurses, and caregivers provide specialized care to more than 8,000 young patients each year.