At the Cardiac Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), our team of more than 1000 experts provide pediatric cardiac treatment and care for children of all ages, from before birth through early adulthood. We are known around the world for our expertise in diagnosing and treating rare heart conditions, with outcomes among the best in the world. 

Whether your child’s condition is rare or routine, CHOP cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons are available to consult with you or your physician. Our nationally ranked specialists partner with families and clinicians around the world to establish and confirm diagnoses.  And we recommend treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your child’s care.

Why choose CHOP for a cardiac second opinion

Our Cardiac Center is one of the largest and most accomplished pediatric cardiac centers in North America and is ranked among the best pediatric cardiac programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek. 

We provide second opinions not only for rare and complex heart conditions, but for more common concerns like chest pain. No matter your child’s age, our specialized programs and wide range of support services provide the best possible care for their unique needs.

If you need to confirm a diagnosis, or face a difficult treatment decision, or navigate a complex condition, CHOP helps families get clarity and confidence at every level of care.

Consider these factors:

• Our Fetal Heart Program, part of the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, works with families to diagnose heart problems early, monitor and treat babies in utero.
• Specialized programs to treat a wide range of heart conditions, including advanced heart failure, heart transplants and ventricular assist devices, single ventricle heart defects, pulmonary vein stenosis, heart valve defects, lymphatic leaks and flow disorders and many more.
• World-class intensive care at the Evelyn and Daniel M. Tabas Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), one of the largest in the world to treat children with congenital heart disease.
• Our unique Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring & Management Program (ISVMP) supports babies during the critical “interstage” period between their first two surgeries by combining comprehensive at-home monitoring, caregiver education, and close coordination with your community healthcare team — helping prevent life-threatening events when your child is most vulnerable.
• Support for families and referring physicians through CHOP’s Cardiac Center Nurse Navigators program. Nurses act as dedicated liaisons — streamlining referrals, coordinating care with community providers, and keeping families informed throughout their child’s entire cardiac journey.
• Close follow-up support for babies and toddlers once they get home, through the Stutman Cardiac Outreach Program or our Cardiac Care Management Program. A dedicated nurse stays in contact after your child leaves the hospital — coordinating care for feeding, wound healing, psychosocial needs, and community services — so families feel supported, empowered, and connected during those vulnerable first 18 months of your child’s life.
• Continued care that extends through childhood into adulthood, with programs such as the Fontan Rehabilitation, Wellness, Activity and Resilience Development (FORWARD) Program and the Philadelphia Adult Congenital Heart Center, a collaboration between our Cardiac Center and Penn Medicine
• Advanced treatment options with a focus on congenital cardiothoracic care; this includes advanced diagnostic imaging, CT surgery program, interventional cardiology and electrophysiology
• State-of-the-art facilities: diagnostic suites, operating rooms and catheterization laboratories equipped with the most advanced technology
• Access to pediatric specialists across other divisions of CHOP
• Extensive support services for patients and their families, including social work, financial counseling, spiritual resources and child life therapy

How to Get a Second Opinion from CHOP’s Cardiac Center

There are several ways to request second opinion from a pediatric cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon at CHOP: 

• Call the Cardiac Center to schedule an appointment: 267-426-9600.
• Contact the Cardiac Center online.
• International families: Contact our Global Patient Services team for assistance.

Information you’ll need

Patient information

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Name of parent or guardian and their contact information
• Insurance information

Clinical information

• Your child's physician's name and contact information
• Your child's diagnosis
• A copy of any existing treatment plan for your child
• A list of specific questions you have for our team to address during the second opinion process

Documents

Before we schedule your child’s second-opinion appointment, we need the following documents sent to us:

• Cardiac Registration Form
• HIPAA authorization form
  • English version
  • En español