Cardiac Transplantation
The cardiac transplantation program at Stanford is the regional referral center for pediatric cardiac transplantation for Northern California. It was among the first such pediatric programs in the country, and has transplanted over 150 children to date, and 15 pediatric heart transplants were performed in 2005. The program is directed by Drs. Clifford Chin and Daniel Bernstein in cardiology, and Drs. Bruce Reitz and Robert C. Robbins from cardiothoracic surgery. A variety of complex and high-risk children are transplanted annually, with diagnoses ranging from failing complex congenital cardiac lesions to cardiomyopathy. The program includes the availability of artificial circulatory assist devices, and has one of the largest experiences nationally with the use of the Berlin heart in children as a bridge to transplant.
