The UCSF Pediatric Heart Center offers expert care for the full range of children's cardiac conditions, including the most serious and complex. We treat kids of all ages, from newborns to teens, as well as adults living with heart birth defects. Through our Fetal Cardiovascular Program (one of the largest in Northern California), we also diagnose and treat heart issues before birth.
Leading-edge care is a hallmark of our center. We provide the latest treatments, including minimally invasive techniques that are gentler on patients than traditional approaches. We're also the only center in the Western U.S. to use state-of-the-art 3D printing technology to plan complex heart procedures for individual patients. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our program among the nation's best for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery.
Your child's heart care team may include a variety of pediatric specialists, such as cardiologists, heart surgeons, electrophysiologists, intensive care doctors, and nurses with advanced specialty training. Many are renowned leaders in their fields, and all are trained in caring for kids.
While we tailor treatment to each patient's condition, our overarching goal is always to care for the whole child, including their physical, emotional, developmental and social needs. Our patients have access to a range of services and amenities to support them during their time with us.
Read more about how we achieve some of the nation's best patient outcomes for pediatric heart surgery.
Highlights of our heart care
A whole-child approach
We believe in caring for the whole child. This means addressing all of your child's medical needs while also nurturing their emotional, developmental and social well-being.
Built for kids
We're part of a children's hospital, and pediatric heart care is our only focus – we don't treat adults. All our doctors and nurses are specially trained in caring for babies and children, and our facilities and equipment were designed with their needs in mind.
Extra support for patients
Child life specialists are experts in helping kids cope with medical procedures and hospitalization. Using play, education and therapeutic techniques tailored to the child's age and needs, they make the health care experience more positive for the whole family.
Extra support for families
Our Family Resource Center provides information, amenities and comfort to parents and other caregivers, making it easier for you to remain with your child during a hospitalization.
Our services (16)
3
Cardiac MRI & CT Imaging Program
20
Cardiology Clinic
2
Congenital Heart Disease Young Adult Transition Program
21
Echocardiography Imaging Program
14
Fetal Cardiovascular Program
Healthy Hearts & Minds Program
4
Heart Failure & Transplant Program
2
Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Single Ventricle Comprehensive Program
Special programs
Awards & recognition
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Best in Northern California for cardiology & heart surgery
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Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
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Accredited pediatric center for comprehensive care (Pulmonary Hypertension Association)
Fetal surgery firsts
The first open fetal surgery in the world was performed at UCSF in the early 1980s.
