Cardiology

The Penn State Health Children’s Hospital approach to pediatric cardiology

Families from across the region have been coming to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital for more than 30 years because we offer a level of expert heart care for children that isn’t available anywhere else in central Pennsylvania.

Comprehensive diagnosis and treatment

We understand that diagnosing and treating heart conditions in children is a team effort. Our experienced specialists work together to provide comprehensive care for heart conditions children are born with and those they develop later. We also focus on finding heart issues in babies before they are born. By diagnosing these conditions early, we can work with families to create a personalized treatment plan, helping everyone be ready for a healthy start and ongoing care after birth.

Diagnostic tools to test for heart problems, include:

Imaging testing

3D echocardiograms
Cardiac CT scans
Cardiac MRI
Fetal echocardiograms
Stress echocardiograms
Transesophageal echocardiograms (intraoperative diagnosis, guidance and monitoring)
Transthoracic echocardiograms

Electrophysiology and exercise testing

Electrocardiograms (EKGs)
Exercise stress tests
Holter and telemetry monitors

Minimally invasive procedures

Cardiac catheterization
- Coarctation and large vessel stenting
- Congenital heart defect device closure - atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
- Diagnostic testing
- Invasive pulmonary hypertension testing
- Premature PDA closure
- Transcatheter valve implantation
Electrophysiology
- Monitoring device implants
- Pacemaker/defibrillator implantation
- Tachyarrhythmia diagnosis and ablation

Conditions treated

Our experts are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of heart conditions in young patients, including:

Evaluation for:
- Heart murmurs
- Chest pain
- Syncope (dizziness, fainting, POTS)
Structural defects of the heart (congenital heart disease)
Heart rhythm disorders
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hyperlipidemia
Obesity
Kawasaki’s disease
Myocarditis
Cardiomyopathy

Advanced surgical care

When surgery is necessary, our cardiologists work directly with the pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. They offer advanced surgical options tailored to each child's unique needs, supported by an advanced radiology and imaging center that specializes in the full spectrum of heart diseases. When appropriate, they use 3D printing to create detailed models of your child's heart to help plan the surgery in advance, ensuring the best possible outcome.

Meet our experts in pediatric cardiology care

Pediatric cardiologists at Penn State Health provide specialized heart care for kids at several locations throughout Pennsylvania.

Why choose Penn State Health Children’s Hospital for cardiovascular care

Families from across the region turn to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital to get unmatched cardiovascular care and services for their children. They include patients with congenital heart disease who rely on the Congenital Heart Center to provide comprehensive care throughout their lives, from womb through adulthood, in one location.

Surgical outcomes among the nation’s best

The pediatric congenital heart surgeons at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital provide expert care for infants, children and adolescents with congenital or acquired heart disease. In the most complex cases, our patients achieve outcomes that exceed the national average, as reported in recent data from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

In addition, the Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in the state to earn Level I Children’s Surgery Verification from the American College of Surgeons for providing exceptional surgical care.

Expert, team-based care

We bring together a team of experts to ensure your child receives complete care and individual attention. Our cardiologists, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiovascular nurses and imaging technologists work as a team to diagnose, treat and manage your child’s heart condition. With your partnership, we will provide the best possible care to both your child and your family.

Innovative research and clinical trials

Because the Children’s Hospital is part of an academic medical center, your child has early access to the latest treatments and clinical trials. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine work closely together to bring innovative research directly to bedside care.

Find out if a clinical trial is right for your child.

Improving communities in need

At Penn State Health, our dedicated providers go above and beyond what is expected, offering their expertise and compassion to support those in need both within our hospitals, clinics and labs and beyond. Through a variety of charitable volunteer efforts, they demonstrate a deep commitment to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Whether it's leading CPR training, walking for a cause or participating in global health initiatives, our providers are driven by a shared mission to make a positive, lasting impact on the lives of individuals, families and communities in need.

Camp Lionheart

A camp for kids with special hearts

Camp Lionheart is a summer camp held annually for children 12 through 18 years of age with heart disease. Boys and girls with repaired congenital heart defects or cardiomyopathies have an opportunity to learn about their hearts and physical abilities, alongside other children with heart disease. The week-long camp takes place at Camp Kirchenwald, near Colebrook, about 10 miles from Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, in July.

View photos from Camp Lionheart 2021

Caption: Camp Lionheart gives these children the chance to experience summer camp, connect with other children who share similar heart conditions and learn more about their own heart condition and how to live a full life with it.