Heart and Lung Center

Call 202-476-2020

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The Children’s National Heart and Lung Center 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.

Our Providers

Our pediatric specialists provide personalized care for your child’s physical, mental and emotional health needs.

Meet the team

Contact Information

For appointments, please call 1-888-884-BEAR (2327) and for information, call 202-476-2020.

Appointments Information

Our Programs

Choosing Children's National Hospital 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.
Lifelong care. Children's National is home to 1 of only 40 Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA)-accredited programs in 25 states. Not only do we provide quality care for children with common and complex heart conditions, we provide specialized care for adult patients with congenital heart defects.
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. Through the Heart Research Institute at Children’s National, our experts in cardiology, cardiac surgery and biomedical science work together to accelerate discovery and advance care for children with heart disease. We’re not only using today’s most advanced techniques — we’re developing tomorrow’s. From innovations like tiny pacemakers for infants to new treatments and technologies, our research translates directly into safer, more effective care from before birth through every stage of life. Learn more about the Heart Research Institute.
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.

Thousands of families around the world seek care at Children’s National Heart and Lung Center 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.

The Heart and Lung Center is led by the following world-renowned doctors:

Wayne Franklin, MD, FACC, senior vice president of the Heart and Lung Center. Dr. Franklin oversees the full spectrum of heart care services, including cardiac imaging and diagnostics, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac anesthesia, cardiac surgery and cardiac intensive care.
Yves d'Udekem, MD, PhD, chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and co-director of the Heart and Lung Center. Dr. d'Udekem 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. He has additional expertise in valve repair, artificial hearts and other cardiac assist devices.

Expertise

Our specialists are international leaders who have pioneered new tools and techniques used all over the world, like pulse oximetry, a test that saves newborns' lives.
We care for the brain in addition to the heart, so children not only survive, but also thrive. The Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Program ensures the best possible neurological outcomes.
Performing more than 3,000 fetal echocardiograms annually, our Prenatal Cardiology Program is the largest program in the region.
We have the region’s first and only pediatric Cardiac ICU.

Encompassing Care

We treat the whole child, paying attention to both physical and emotional needs.
Parents are included as a key part of the care team and encouraged to participate in daily rounds with the medical team.
Dedicated social workers, child life specialists and case managers help ensure that families have the support they need.

For Referring Providers

Our team is here to support care by coordinating cardiology referrals and surgical consultations, ensuring timely access to expert services.

View the referral form Email us

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NEWs - Good Morning America

Historic Partial Heart Transplant Replaces Pre-Teen’s Artificial Valve with a Living One

Preston is the first child to have his artificial heart valve replaced with a living valve from a donated heart, thanks to a groundbreaking partial heart transplant performed by our cardiac team.

Read the full story Learn more about partial heart transplants

Children's National Heart and Lung Center Outcomes Data

We are dedicated to providing the best possible care to children and adults with congenital and acquired heart disease. Our large, experienced team provides high quality, personalized care to a large volume of patients each year.

View our outcomes data

Mending a Broken Heart

Early detection of a heart problem and advanced care that started in the womb made all the difference to save Abby's life.

Specialized Expertise

Children's National Heart and Lung Center is made up of many internationally-recognized leaders who provide specialized care and support for all facets of heart disease.

Heart Research Institute: Transforming Children’s Heart Care

The Heart Research Institute at Children’s National Hospital brings together top pediatric heart experts to advance breakthrough treatments and technologies for children with heart disease. By uniting cutting‑edge research with specialized clinical care, we’re improving outcomes and long‑term quality of life for kids with all types of heart conditions. Families who choose Children’s National benefit from innovations shaping the future of pediatric heart care.

Learn more about the Heart Research Institute