Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

Latest Episodes:

Pediheart Podcast #268: Is An Obstetrical Ultrasound Adequate To Rule Out Critical Heart Disease In A Down Syndrome Fetus? Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

This week we delve into the world of fetal cardiology when review a recent report from Nationwide Children's Hospital on the utility of fetal echocardiography in the setting of a negative obstetrical ultrasound and Down syndrome. Down syndrome is associated with congenital heart disease but can the obstetrical ultrasound effectively rule out 'critical' newborn heart disease, obviating the need for a fetal echo, particularly if a postnatal transthoracic scan is planned? Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Clifford Cua shares his thoughts on this provocative question and work.
doi: 10.1007/s00246-023-03183-0.Epub 2023 Jun 23.

Pediheart Podcast #267: Do All Pediatric Exertional Chest Pain Patients Warrant An Echocardiogram? Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

This week we discuss an important 'general cardiology' question - namely, do all exertional chest pain patients need an echocardiogram. In this debate from the World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, we hear 2 noted authorities in non-invasive imaging. First up is Dr. Carolyn Altman of Texas Children's Hospital taking the stance that it is indicated in the majority and following Dr. Altman is Dr. Kenan Stern of Mount Sinai Kravis Children's Hospital defending the role of discretion in these decisions and how 'one size may not fit all'. Both authorities provide deep insights into general cardiology and the nuances of evaluating a common cardiology complaint seen in general practice.

Pediheart Podcast #266: How Is The Harmony Valve Performing At One Year? Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

This week we delve into the world of interventional cardiology and specifically that of transcatheter valves when we review a recent report on the Harmony valve. How are these valves performing at one year in regards to valvular function? Is frame fracture an issue? What percentage required reintervention? How common was ventricular tachycardia seen? Should patients undergoing these implantations undergo pre-procedural EP studies? We review these questions and more with the first author of this work, noted authority on interventional cardiology, Dr. Matthew J. Gillespie, Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2023.03.002

Pediheart Podcast #265: Ablation Of Difficult Pathways And Tough AVNRT In Children Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

This week we will hear 2 lectures from the World Congress on ablation in children from two world authorities. In the first, Professor Jeff Kim of Texas Children's Hospital speaks about unusual accessory pathway connections and offers some insights into how to ablate them. Following Dr. Kim, Professor John Papagiannis, chief of cardiology at the Onassis Center in Greece offers us some insights into why some AVNRT is challenging to ablate and how to approach these rare but difficult cases. Why is ablation not 100% effective in children for 'simple' things like accessory pathways or AVNRT? Drs. Kim and Papagiannis provide a few insights into why there is no such thing as 'just AVNRT' or 'just a pathway'.

Pediheart Podcast Replay of #176: A Conversation With Pediatric Cardiology Pioneer Dr. Peter Lang Sep 01, 2023

Show notes

This week we go back in time 2 years ago and we spend the entire episode speaking with Professor Peter Lang of Harvard University about his rich and long career in pediatric cardiology during one of the most exciting times of the field. Dr. Lang's story includes a virtual who's who of important cardiologists and cardiac surgeons for the past 50 years including Dr. Connie Hayes, Dr. Roberta Williams, Dr. Alexander Nadas, Dr. Richard Van Praagh, Dr. Aldo Castaneda, Dr. Bill Norwood and many, many more. This is a rare opportunity to hear about the development of the Norwood procedure from someone who was at the bedside of the first 30-50 ever performed as well as someone who helped develop the entire field of cardiac critical care. Prepare to be inspired by this towering figure this week.

Pediheart Podcast #264: Survival Of CHD Patients From Birth To Young Adulthood Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

This week we review a recent large scale assessment of survival amongst patients with CHD who were born between 1980 and 1997 in the US. What percentage of those born with CHD actually survived to age 35? What were the factors associated with improved or worse outcomes? How did those with HLHS fair in this time period? What was the impact of genetic syndromes or non-cardiac abnormalities on outcomes of children with congenital heart disease? We speak with this week's work's first author, CDC epidemiologist, Ms. Karri F. Downing.
https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.123.064400

Pediheart Podcast #263: What Are The Cardiac Causes Of Sudden Death In Adolescence? Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

This week we review a recent work from the UK on the causes of death in adolescents who die suddenly. The novelty of this week's work is that all the individuals in this very large study had specialized cardiac pathologists perform careful assessments of the hearts of these subjects. What is the most common cardiac cause of SCD in the adolescent and how do the findings of this work compare with prior works on this topic? What sort of screening should be considered when encountering a patient with SCD? Why would LVH (without HCM) possibly be a cause of SCD in the young? Should all SCD victims have evaluation by a cardiac pathologist? What is the role of molecular autopsy? These are amongst the many topics reviewed with the senior author of this week's work, noted Professor of Pathology, Dr. Mary Sheppard of St. George's, University of London, London UK.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.01.041

Pediheart Podcast Replay of #190: Fate Of The Truncal Valve Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

This week we travel back in time 2 years to re-review a work from the team at Boston Children's Hospital on the long term outcomes of truncal valves in the setting of truncus arteriosus. Who amongst truncus patients is at risk for the development of truncal regurgitation or a need for reintervention? Are there predictors that might help forecast patients who should be more closely monitored? How do the data in this work help inform the fetal counseling of the team at Boston Children's Hospital? Then instructor in pediatrics, Dr. Laura Gellis, the first author of this week's work, shares her deep insights into this topic this week!
doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.019104

Pediheart Podcast #262: A Novel Model Of HLHS And Insights Into The Impact Of Decreased LV Flow On Morphology And Tissue Remodeling Aug 04, 2023

Show notes

This week we review a recent fascinating work from the team in Toronto on a novel large mammalian model of HLHS (in fetal lambs). How did the team develop this model and what insights into the development of HLHS has it afforded? How does reduction in inflow to the developing LV result in changes in cellular proliferation in the LV of the fetal lamb? Which is more important in the development of HLHS - genetics or flow patterns? Is this a false dichotomy? Does this novel model provide insights into outcomes thus far observed in fetal interventions for HLHS and aortic stenosis in humans? We speak with the senior author of this week's work, Professor Rajiv Chaturvedi of the University of Toronto about this potentially groundbreaking new model and some of the insights it has provided.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-023-05132-2

Pediheart Podcast Replay of #78: A Discussion With Crediblemeds.org Founder Professor Ray Woosley Jul 28, 2023

Show notes

This week's episode is a replay from 2019 of a 'co-branded' episode with the SADS Foundation (SADS.ORG) and we speak with the founder and director of Crediblemeds.org, Professor of Medicine Ray Woosley of the University of Arizona. Dr. Woosley speaks with us about how he started the first website dedicated to assessing the evidence for drugs' impact on the QT interval establishing a reliable and trusted website for clinicians and patients to visit to learn about possible drug interactions and their impact on LQTS and the QT interval in general. How was the site first conceived? What are the latest changes on the site? What are the plans for this work going forward? Is grapefruit juice really dangerous? Why does the site request that all have to sign up to access the site? Professor Woosley provides all the answers and more this week!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected