Children's Mercy Heart Transplant Program Reaches Milestone with 75th Pediatric Heart Transplant
The Children's Mercy Heart Transplant Program has completed its 75th pediatric heart transplant, marking a significant milestone in the program's continued growth and commitment to caring for children with advanced heart failure and complex cardiac conditions. The program is a collaboration between the Brendan Tripp Elam Transplant Center and the Ward Family Heart Center, providing coordinated care throughout the transplant journey, from evaluation and listing to surgery, recovery and long-term follow-up.
The milestone patient was a 4-year-old child diagnosed with congenital atresia of the left main coronary artery and severe aortic valve stenosis. Following a cardiac arrest during diagnostic evaluation, she required prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support and later transitioned to a Berlin Heart ventricular assist device while awaiting transplantation. She was listed for transplant on June 15 and successfully underwent heart transplantation on July 22.
This case highlights the Heart Transplant Program's expertise in managing critically ill children through the full spectrum of advanced heart failure therapies, including mechanical circulatory support and transplantation. The multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive medical, surgical, rehabilitation and psychosocial support tailored to each patient's unique clinical needs.
Since performing its first heart transplant in 2015, Children's Mercy has continued to expand its pediatric transplant capabilities. Program milestones include the first combined heart-liver transplant in 2022, the 50th heart transplant in 2023 and now the 75th heart transplant in 2026. The program has completed eight heart transplants so far this year and continues to grow with the addition of two physicians, further enhancing access to advanced transplant care for children across the region.
The Children's Mercy Heart Transplant Program offers evaluation and management of patients with end-stage heart failure, congenital heart disease requiring transplantation, and those who may benefit from advanced heart failure therapies, including ventricular assist devices and heart transplantation. Through close collaboration with community providers, the program strives to ensure timely referral, seamless care coordination and long-term follow-up for patients and families throughout the Midwest and beyond.