Heart Center

Statistics and Outcomes

At Seattle Children’s Heart Center, our outcomes are among the best in the nation for simple to complex heart procedures and transplants for children. Our heart surgeons perform more pediatric cardiac procedures than any other providers in the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) region.

  • What Seattle Children’s measures and why

    "Outcomes” refer to the results of treatment and evaluate how effective care is. We also provide statistics such as the number of patients seen (volumes). 

    We gather this data to:  

    • Measure the health of our patients
    • Improve the quality of the care we provide
    • Help you make informed decisions about your child’s care 

    Learn more about outcomes at Seattle Children’s.

Heart Center Volumes and Survival Rates

We treat the entire range of pediatric heart conditions – from the most common to the most complex and rare. We only treat babies, children, teens and young adults. This means we bring years of experience to your child’s unique situation.

Seattle Children’s Heart Center is the largest pediatric heart program in the WWAMI region. 

Total number of heart surgeries, 2017 to 2021

2,770

Total number (volume) of Heart Center surgeries by fiscal year

This chart shows that the Heart Center team performed 531 surgeries in 2021. Read more about Seattle Children’s Heart Surgery Program.

531
2021
513
2020
558
2019
590
2018
578
2017

Number of surgeries and 30-day survival rate

This table shows:

  • The number (volume) of each type of complex heart surgery performed at Seattle Children’s Hospital
  • The number of patients who survived more than 30 days after surgery (outcome). “30-day survival” is the measurement for success used by hospitals throughout the nation. Using this measurement allows you to compare us with other hospitals.
  • These data are for procedures performed from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021.
  • Arterial switch (transposition of the great arteries)
    22
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate
  • Atrial septal defect (ASD) repair
    12
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate
  • AV canal repair
    26
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate
  • Right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit and pulmonary valve insertion
    12
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate
  • Single ventricle defect-related surgeries

    Norwood

    16
    Number of surgeries
    93.8%
    30-day survival rate

    Fontan

    22
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate

    Glenn

    23
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate
  • Tetralogy of Fallot repair
    16
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate
  • Total anomalous pulmonary venous return repair
    5
    Number of surgeries
    80%
    30-day survival rate
  • Valve repair and replacement (mitral/aortic)
    21
    Numbers of surgeries
    95.3%
    30-day survival rate
  • Ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair
    52
    Number of surgeries
    100%
    30-day survival rate

Cardiac catheterization lab volume, 2021

746

In 2021, we completed 746 procedures in the cardiac catheterization labs at Seattle Children’s. Our catheterization laboratory is the largest of its kind in the region. Read more about cardiac catheterization at Seattle Children's.

Heart Transplant Volumes and Survival Rates

Total number of heart transplants, October 1994 to June 2021

280

Heart transplant volumes by year, 2017 to 2021

This chart shows that the Heart Center team performed 21 transplants in 2021. Read more about Seattle Children’s Heart Transplant Program.

21
2021
11
2020
20
2019
23
2018
13
2017

Pediatric heart transplant survival rates

This table compares survival rates at Seattle Children’s with the national average for pediatric patients. Pediatric patients are children who are not yet 18 years old when they are put on the transplant waitlist.

  • One-year patient survival
    96.3%
    Seattle Children’s 1-year patient survival
    91.57%
    National average 1-year patient survival
    39
    Number of patients evaluated at Seattle Children’s
  • One-year graft survival
    96.4%
    Seattle Children’s 1-year graft survival
    91.79%
    National average 1-year graft survival
    42
    Number of transplants evaluated at Seattle Children’s
  • Three-year patient survival
    97.14%
    Seattle Children’s 3-year patient survival
    86.81%
    National average 3-year patient survival
    30
    Number of patients evaluated at Seattle Children’s
  • Three-year graft survival
    97.50%
    Seattle Children’s 3-year graft survival
    86.34%
    National average 3-year graft survival
    35
    Number of transplants evaluated at Seattle Children’s

These data are for transplants performed in the following periods:  

  • 1-year survival: June 13, 2020 to June 30, 2021
  • 3-year survival: Jan. 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018

Transplant data updated July 2022.

Next SRTR update: January 2023

Prenatal Diagnosis Volumes and Accuracy

This table shows the number of prenatal heart exams we did in each of the previous 3 years. It also shows how accurate we are in making the diagnosis during pregnancy. Some things cannot be detected before birth due to the differences between blood circulation during pregnancy and after birth.

2021
1,195
Number of prenatal evaluations
100%
Accuracy
2020
858
Number of prenatal evaluations
99.7%
Accuracy
2019
1207
Number of prenatal evaluations
100%
Accuracy

Where does this information come from?

These statistics and outcomes reflect national metrics reported to the National Quality Forum, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Talk with your child’s doctor or contact the Heart Center at 206-987-2015.

Updated September 2022.