Congenital Heart Disease

Children born with heart defects from throughout the West come to UCSF Children's Hospital for treatment. We have three decades of expertise in discovering the basis of congenital heart ailments and offer the best available diagnosis and treatments.

The American Heart Association estimates that eight out of every 1,000 infants born each year have heart defects. Many of these defects are minor and don't cause problems until adulthood. Others are serious conditions that require the expertise found at regional pediatric heart centers like UCSF Children's Hospital.

Congenital heart defects are much different from the acquired heart disease that strikes adults. They require advanced techniques and knowledge to diagnose and coordinate treatments tailored for each child's condition. Increasingly, repairs begin with newborns so that other problems don't develop as the body compensates for a defective heart. Repairs may involve both open-heart surgery and less invasive procedures.

Our congenital heart disease program is among the most expert in the nation in the repair of complex defects such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Our Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory is a leader in diagnosing and repairing heart problems, using miniature instruments to open blood vessels and close holes in tiny hearts. Our pediatric electrophysiology program was the first in the world to use minimally invasive techniques to treat and often cure heart rhythm disorders.

Members of our team are experts at treating newborns and managing heart conditions as children mature through adulthood. In addition, adults with congenital heart disease are treated by our adult Heart and Vascular Center.

For more information or to make an appointment, please call:
Pediatric Cardiology (415) 353-2008

For helping finding a doctor, please contact our Physician Referral Service:

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007