Skip to Content on Nemours.org

A Center of Cardiac Excellence

Female doctor with clipboard talks with young smiling boy sitting on father's lap

We have a sole focus on caring for kids with heart disease, providing diagnosis, treatment, second opinions and hope. From heart murmurs to heart transplants, our team of experts along with more than 30 other medical and surgical specialties are ready to help. 

Our complication rate is extremely low (0% for some procedures). Our heart surgery outcomes, even in newborns just hours old, are among the best in the nation.

We treat even the tiniest, most fragile hearts. In fact, nearly a quarter of our surgical patients are less than a month old. From before birth through age 40, we’re here to give children the best chance at a long, fulfilling life.

World-Class Heart Care for Kids, All in One Place

The Nemours Cardiac Center, Delaware Valley is a destination for kids born with heart disease and other cardiac conditions.

  • We’re experts in the early diagnosis of congenital heart defects in the developing fetus. Our fetal cardiologists can diagnose a congenital heart defect as early as 12 weeks gestation so that families and their care teams can develop a comprehensive plan of care for delivery and beyond.
  • We have an Advanced Delivery Program at the hospital. Parents can continue to see their own obstetrician during pregnancy and deliver their newborn at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware for the immediate and complex care their baby will need from the moment they are born.
  • We’re a destination for children who need complex cardiac care including heart transplants. As the first regional ECMO transport center — able to transport critically ill heart patients while on lifesaving ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), we are ideally suited to deliver the complex care and surgery that is immediately required.
  • 400+ Heart surgeries in 2021 across Nemours Children's
  • 99% Cardiac catheterizations are complication-free
  • 97.4% Neonatal cardiac surgery survival rate

Find Cardiac Care at Nemours

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

Find a Doctor Find a Location

Total Pediatric Cardiology Care — in One Place

Every surgeon, nurse and anesthesiologist on the Nemours Cardiac Center team is dedicated to caring for children with heart conditions. This is all we do. See how we work.

Our Leadership

Christian Pizarro, MD, Co-Director, Cardiac Center, Chief, Cardiothoracic Surgery

Nationally renowned for his expertise, surgical outcomes and decades of experience, Dr. Pizarro is an international lecturer and author of more than 60 peer-reviewed journal articles. In addition to his work as a surgeon, he is actively involved in research projects aimed at improving the lives of children with cardiac conditions.

Christian Pizarro, MD - Chief, Pediatric Heart Surgery - Nemours Cardiac Center in Delaware

Shubhika Srivastava, MD, Co-Director, Nemours Cardiac Center, Chief of Cardiology.

Dr. Srivastava is a national leader in echocardiography and advanced imaging techniques that aid in the early diagnosis of congenital heart defects, from developing babies in utero through adult ages. She is a national lecturer and author of more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Srivastava is known as an educator, mentor and clinical researcher. She has spearheaded the development of imaging training guidelines and her work is aimed at improving outcomes and advancing quality of care.

 

“Dr. Srivastava was a constant source of strength and comfort for me. She reassured us that the team had a plan to care for our baby.”

— Michelle, mother of Jack, baby born with congenital heart defect.

“We would put our trust in Dr. Pizarro all over again.”
Read Vea's Story Read Vea's Story
“The Nemours Cardiac Center saved his life more than once.”
Read Owen's Story Read Owen's Story
“There's no way to adequately express what Nemours means to us.”
Read Hannah's Story Read Hannah's Story
“The doctors at Nemours not only have incredible skill, they have a personal touch that matters so much.”
Read Miracle's Story Read Miracle's Story

Our Research

Nemours is at the forefront of pediatric cardiac research and care. Our physician researchers, clinicians and scientists bring insights and discoveries to patients. We share our findings so we can help kids everywhere, even those we’ll never meet.

Learn More
Male research doctor pointing at a computer monitor, with doctors beside him

Giving Babies the Best Start in Life

For healthy moms whose babies will need complex care from the time they are born, our Perinatal and Fetal Cardiology Team is ready to help. We will partner with you, your OB and maternal fetal medicine specialist (MFM) to develop a plan of care for you and your baby — before, during and after delivery. Learn more about our program.

Convenient Follow-Up Appointments by Video

We offer many follow-up appointments through scheduled, live video visits. You can avoid waiting rooms and save travel time. Ask your doctor if this is an option for your family.

Learn More
Close-up of smiling mom and smiling preschooler looking at laptop