Oklahoma Children’s Hospital is performing the first pediatric heart transplant in 30 years

Oklahoma’s pediatric heart transplant program has been dormant since the 1990s, but that changed last Sunday. Oklahoma Children’s Hospital has spent a decade building its pediatric cardiac surgery department to perform any procedure.

A heart beats in a steady rhythm. Consistency is the way a life is measured in medicine. The Chief of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, Dr. Harold Burkhart, put together a team. Burkhart helped establish a pediatric cardiology department capable of performing the most complex surgeries.

“The only program for the state,” Burkhart said. “We have built an incredible team.”

Each year, the hospital performs more than 500 surgeries with an open heart surgery survival rate of 98%. Oklahoma’s pediatric heart transplant program performed transplants three decades ago but ceased operations.

“The results weren’t as good as they are now,” said Burkhart. “Many children were removed from the state every year.”

Burkhart’s team received approval to change that this year.

“We performed our first heart transplant,” Burkhart said.

Last December, 10-month-old Parker Helmerich was born with critical pulmonary stenosis.

“He has been in the hospital since he was born,” said Burkhart. “His heart wasn’t strong enough to support his circulation.”

Burkhart and 20 other medical professionals from OU Health went to work giving Parker a new lease on life.

“And we got an offer for a heart transplant last Sunday,” Burkhart said. “His new heart suits him perfectly.”

Burkhart said a career in medicine requires discipline and patience, but a successful vision comes from the heart.

“Everyone really performed at their best,” Burkhart said. “I’m very happy for the family and Parker.”

Burkhart said Parker will continue to come for checkups and visits, but he expects Parker to have a good life ahead of him. Approximately 450 pediatric heart transplants are performed in the United States each year.