If your child is referred to our Heart Transplant Program, you and your child will participate in an intensive and thorough evaluation. Our goal is not only to assess your child for transplantation, but to explore other medical and surgical treatment options.

You and your child will meet with multiple members of our team, including a transplant cardiologist, advanced practice nurse, social worker and psychologist. Sometimes, these assessments can be spread out over several visits.

What to expect

For diagnostic purposes, your child will probably undergo various tests to assess the condition of their heart. Your child will also undergo other tests to assess immunologic function, liver and kidney function, and exposure to viruses and vaccines. These tests may include:

• Cardiac catheterization
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac MRI
• Blood tests
• Viral studies
• Urine tests

After the evaluation is complete, our team will carefully review all of the data collected during the evaluation and make a determination as to whether your child is a suitable candidate for transplantation. If your child has been accepted to have a heart transplant, you will be asked to sign a consent form so that your child can be placed on the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) list.

Preparing for your child’s evaluation appointment

When you come to the hospital for your first appointment, be sure to bring:

• Any medications your child is currently taking.
• Any X-rays or other imaging studies (either copies or doctor's reports).
• Your child's medical records to date, including physicians' phone numbers and past test results. Copies of these records should also be provided to CHOP before you arrive for your child's appointment.

Your initial evaluation appointment will be on the Philadelphia Campus. You can visit our directions page to get door-to-door directions from your area to the hospital.