< Arkansas Children's Blog

Heart Institute Outcomes

Published date: May 20, 2022

Every day at Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute, we strive for excellence, and our outcomes prove it. Under the direction of nationally renowned pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Brian Reemtsen, the Heart Institute achieved a remarkable 100% surgical survival rate last fiscal year, including transplants.

The Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute is more than a regional destination. We are a nationally ranked leader in specialized pediatric care.

Our Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery rank among the top 50 institutions in the country. Our cardiac program is home to state-of-the-art technologies, world-class specialists and innovative procedures. This unmatched combination of resources has solidified our reputation as the region’s leading provider of comprehensive cardiac care.

    US News and World Report Badge - CardiologyOther impressive outcomes and accomplishments include:

  • Undertook our first transplant in 1990, representing more than 30 years of heart transplants
  • Average 11 transplants annually, performing as many as 31 in one year
  • Currently following more than 1,100 congenital heart disease patients
  • 1,000-1,300 echocardiograms read monthly across the Arkansas Children’s system
  • An average of 450-550 procedures are performed in the cath lab each year
  • Recognized with a PHTS Vanguard Center Award for our outstanding contribution to the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Registry

Arkansas Children’s Heart Institute is the only congenital cardiac program in Arkansas. Our team never stops working to raise the bar on our cardiac care. Our research unearths insights to fuel innovations that better serve our patients and their families’ urgent and ever-evolving needs.