Labatt Family Heart Centre

Hearts that mend themselves

Each year, one in 100 babies in Canada is born with a congenital heart defect. Without major surgery, more than half face a real risk of dying. Because of advancements pioneered at SickKids, cardiac surgery survival rates have drastically increased. But that doesn’t mean our work is done. Some complex cardiac patients still lack treatment options. Some go on to suffer neurological impairment or heart failure in adulthood. Many still face an uncertain future.

Our world-leading paediatric cardiac centre is strategically structured so that clinicians and researchers work together to treat and solve cardiac disease. We were the first in the country to launch a cardiac-focused ICU, and are the only Canadian centre to perform fetal cardiac MRIs and cardiac interventions in the womb. Our scientists are forging new understanding about brain development in cardiac patients and the genetic root of congenital heart disease—laying the foundation for personalized care approaches.

Our vision is to heal complex heart defects using the body’s own stem cells, predict cardiac problems using data analytics, nurture healthy brain development among vulnerable newborns, and help cardiac patients live long and well, free of complications or relapse.