Matthew J. O'Connor, MD

As a board-certified attending cardiologist and Medical Director of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Heart Failure and Transplant Program, Matthew J. O'Connor, MD, sees firsthand the effect heart failure has on patients and their families.  “The impact is significant,” he says, “and so too is the potential to make lasting improvements on our patients’ quality of life.  I treat patients of all ages and strive to provide the highest possible level of care to them and their families through compassion, attention to detail, and thorough knowledge of all available treatment options.”

Dr. O’Connor is focused on the immunological aspects of heart transplantation in children, specifically the impact of anti-HLA antibodies. Anti-HLA antibodies are a major source of rejection following heart transplantation. Although these antibodies are absent in many patients, their presence can complicate or even prevent a transplant from happening; therefore, reducing or eliminating them before transplant is very important in order for the patient to receive a heart that is compatible with his or her immune system.

He is also involved in the ACTION network, a nationwide collaboration of centers who use ventricular assist devices (VAD) in children with heart failure. A VAD is a mechanical pump a cardiac surgeon can place in a patient’s heart to increase the amount of blood that flows through the body. According to Dr. O’Connor, “There has been rapid development in this area, which is giving many children with heart failure a greater opportunity for survival and an improved quality of life.”

Attending Cardiologist

Medical Director, Transplant Program