Our Services

Heart Failure Recovery Program

Description of Services

The Heart Institute at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC has a dedicated heart failure service that provides a full range of treatments, both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Treatment always starts with a full patient assessment, which often includes different types of testing to determine the nature and extent of the heart failure. Diagnostic tools used in the evaluation and management of heart failure include echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and advanced cardiac MRI, which gives detailed images of the heart and how well it is functioning.

Treatment for heart failure may include the use of medications, as well as:

Sometimes these interventions and medications can resolve or control symptoms of heart failure; other times, they are used to manage symptoms until a patient can undergo heart transplantation.

If surgery or transplantation is necessary, patients are cared for in the Heart Institute’s dedicated Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) by specially trained cardiac nurses and staff. Patients and families also receive help from other support services, including behavioral health and social work, to help them deal with their child’s needs.

Transport Services
Children’s Hospital is one of the only pediatric hospital in the country to offer highly specialized transport for children with failing hearts who must be transported on a VAD or ECMO. Our dedicated transport team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to transport the most critically ill patients by helicopter, fixed wing airplane, or ambulance.

Research
Researchers at the Heart Institute are conducting groundbreaking basic research into novel genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying congenital heart disease. Much of our clinical research involves helping children with end-stage heart failure through medical management, mechanical circulatory support, and transplantation. Learn more about reseach activities for cardiovascular disease at the Heart Institute.

Contact Information:
412-692-5540 Heart Institute
412-692-6150 Cardiomyopathy Clinic
412-692-5000 Transport
412-692-5138 Fax

Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation http://www.childrenscardiomyopathy.org/