Heart Failure

Heart failure is a generic term for any situation in which the heart can’t pump an adequate amount of blood. "Congestive heart failure" in children occurs when blood gets backed up, or “congested”, as it attempts to enter a heart that isn’t working well. Heart failure can progress slowly or rapidly, depending on the cause. Effective management of your child’s heart failure begins with proper diagnosis.

In the Nemours Children's Cardiac Center, our pediatric heart care experts — plus our extended pediatric Nemours team of more than 30 additional specialties — work together with your family to find the cause of your child’s symptoms.

If your child is diagnosed with heart failure, our board-certified, fellowship-trained pediatric cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons (specialists in surgical procedures of the chest, including the heart and lungs) are here to answer your questions, address your concerns, and offer treatment options, including expert long-term medication management and heart transplants. Our cardiac teams offer the latest in research-backed care, delivered with compassion.

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Why Choose Us

World-class pediatric heart care requires the compassion to understand your family's journey, and the expertise to manage even the most complex conditions. The Nemours Cardiac Center provides diagnosis and treatment options for children with heart failure by working together in dedicated cardiac teams — and working closely with Nemours specialists in more than 30 additional disciplines when needed. With today’s medications and surgical advances, many babies born with heart defects and other conditions that cause heart failure can lead active lives. Our specialty is the early detection and repair of heart problems, so your child will have the best possible chance for a healthy future.

Regional Care Highlights

Delaware Valley Highlights

Delaware/Greater Philadelphia

We offer care for newborns, children and teens with heart failure at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware (Wilmington, Del.) and select Nemours locations.

The Nemours Cardiac Center at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware offers a complete range of pediatric cardiology and heart surgery services.

If your child’s heart failure is due to cardiomyopathy, the Cardiac Center is also a designated Accredited Center of Care by The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation Program. This recognizes medical centers with expertise in pediatric cardiomyopathy who provide high-quality cardiac care and specialized disease management to children with cardiomyopathy.

Our Palliative and Supportive Care Program located at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware provides compassionate care for families and children coping with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions.

Florida Highlights

Central Florida

We offer care for newborns, children and teens with heart failure at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida in Orlando and select Nemours locations.

Our renowned pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery team at the Nemours Cardiac Center in Central Florida offers inpatient, critical and surgical care at Nemours Children’s Hospital — including dedicated cardiac anesthesiologists and state-of-the-art cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

If your child’s heart failure is due to cardiomyopathy, our Cardiac Center in Delaware is a designated Accredited Center of Care by The Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation Program, and Florida is also in the process. This recognizes medical centers with expertise in pediatric cardiomyopathy who provide high-quality cardiac care and specialized disease management to children with cardiomyopathy.

Northwest Florida

We offer care for children of all ages with heart failure at Nemours Children’s Health, Pensacola and our hospital affiliate, West Florida Healthcare, with outpatient and follow-up appointments also available at select Nemours locations.

Our Nemours Cardiac Center in Pensacola is home to one of the few accredited pediatric transthoracic and fetal echocardiography labs in Florida and, if needed, can facilitate the transfer of extremely ill children between our Nemours Cardiac Center locations (e.g., to Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida).

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We have many pediatric specialists and locations — find the care closest to you:

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Why Choose Us

Regional Care Highlights

Delaware Valley Highlights

Delaware/Greater Philadelphia

Florida Highlights

Central Florida

Northwest Florida

Find Care at Nemours

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