Children's National Heart Institute

(En Español)

The Children’s National Heart Institute provides specialized expertise across the full spectrum of congenital and acquired heart disease in children – from the most common to the most complex. In addition to general cardiac care, our renowned, multidisciplinary team offers state-of-the-art cardiac imaging and diagnostics, interventional cardiology and electrophysiology, heart surgery and cardiac intensive care.

Choosing Children’s National for Heart Care

• Surgical expertise. Our renowned pediatric cardiac surgeons conduct more than 600 cardiac procedures each year, and care for a range of cardiac anomalies from the very rare to the most common issues. We are also one of few programs in the United States that offers a team of anesthesiologists subspecialty trained and certified in pediatric cardiac anesthesia. Learn more about our heart surgery outcomes.
• Lifelong care. Children's National is home to the only accredited Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) program in the DC, Maryland and Virginia region. In addition to providing quality care for the most common to the most complex conditions, we also care for children with pediatric heart conditions throughout their lives - from fetus to adulthood.
• Prioritizing your child's development. The approach to cardiac care at Children’s National extends beyond traditional cardiac care to include a specialized focus on the developing brain and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes with our Neuro-Cardiac Critical Care Program. Clinical care begins with a prenatal diagnosis in the Prenatal Cardiology Program and then continues through any needed surgical procedures.
• Pioneering research. At Children’s National, we don’t just use advanced techniques and devices. We are actively involved in identifying and developing the next generation of procedures and technology, such as tiny pacemakers for infants, that will enable the safest and most effective care of children’s hearts.
• Family-centered care. We work closely with you and your child throughout every step of the care process, in order to support the physical and emotional needs of your family during your child’s treatment journey. Our team, including child life specialists, social workers, chaplains and behavioral health experts, offers the emotional support and resources parents and families need during this time.

World Class Expertise

Thousands of families around the world seek care at Children’s National Heart Institute from our team of internationally-respected pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. When you come to Children’s National, you are getting a team that includes pediatric experts from more than 40 subspecialties, ensuring your child has the best possible care.

Founded by congenital heart disease and pulse oximetry expert Gerard Martin, M.D., the Heart Institute is currently led by first-class doctors, including:

• Charles Berul, M.D., co-director of the Heart Institute and chief of the Division of Cardiology is a internationally respected leader in pediatric electrophysiology. He is recognized for his extensive clinical and research experience, and he has particular expertise in inherited heart rhythm abnormalities, pacemaker and defibrillator implantation and cardiac screenings for pediatric athletes. He leads a team of board-certified pediatric cardiologists who see patients throughout the metro area, which means access to the very best cardiac care for families when and where they need it.
• Yves d'Udekem, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and co-director of the Heart Institute is a world-renowned, pediatric cardiac surgeon. He is recognized for expertise in the most challenging procedures for newborns and children with complex congenital heart disease, including the repair of single ventricle anomalies. Dr. d'Udekem has additional expertise in valve repair, artificial hearts and other cardiac assist devices.
• Ricardo Muñoz, M.D., chief of the Division of Cardiac Critical Care Medicine and co-director of the Heart Institute is a pioneer and innovator in the fields of cardiac critical care and telemedicine. He oversees the work of a multidisciplinary team, including critical care nurse practitioners and nurses, respiratory and physical therapists, nutritionists, social workers and pharmacists.