Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

Latest Episodes:

Pediheart Podcast #382: Outcomes Of Mavacamten In Adolescent Patients With HCM May 22, 2026

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This week we review a landmark paper from the NEJM by the SCOUT-HCM study group assessing the impact of mavacamten on HCM in the adolescent patient. How does this agent work and what impact did it have on the LVOT gradients in obstructed HCM teens? Does this agent affect other biomarkers associated with more obstruction in this setting? Who is a good potential candidate for the use of this agent? Why must the EF be carefully monitored while using this agent? Dr. Joseph Rossano, Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Pennsylvania and the chief of pediatric cardiology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia joins the podcast to discuss this groundbreaking work.
doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2601103

Pediheart Podcast #381: Evaluation And Management Of Unexpected AV Block In Children May 15, 2026

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This week we feature a collaboration episode between the Pediheart Podcast and the PedsCrit Podcast in which pediatric critical care experts Drs. Alice Shanklin of Northwell Medical Center and Dr. Zac Hodges of UT Southwestern discuss the evaluation and management of heart block in children. What should the clinician be thinking when encountering a previously healthy child with heart block? When is pacing indicated and how should it be performed? Who is a candidate for transvenous or transcutaneous pacing, who is not and why? Drs. Pass, Shanklin and Hodges review many aspects of this in an episode from the PedsCrit Podcast.
https://www.pedscrit.com/

Pediheart Podcast #380: Does Phenylephrine Reliably Lower Heart Rate During Pediatric Congenital Heart Coronary CT Scans May 08, 2026

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This week we review a recent work from the CT group at NY Presbyterian assessing the impact of phenylephrine during pediatric congenital CT scans to lower heart rate. Why is a lower heart rate better for CCT's? Should this agent be routinely employed for this indication during CT scans in children? Dr. Yosef Cohen, pediatrics resident at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore shares his insights from a recent work he co-authored.
doi: 10.1093/ehjimp/qyag023. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Pediheart Podcast Replay #322: Hepatocellular Carcinoma And The Fontan Operation Apr 24, 2026

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In this replay episode from 2 years ago, we delve into the world of adult congenital heart disease to review the topic of liver disease in the Fontan patient and specifically, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). What is the prevalence of this disease in the Fontan single ventricle adult patient? How effective are scores like the MELD-XI or Fibrosis-4 Index at identification of HCC in the Fontan patient? How should the Fontan adult patient be surveilled for this form of cancer? What evidence is there that earlier identification of HCC is associated with better outcomes? What may prove to be the most important factor in protection of the liver in the Fontan patient? Dr. Yuli Kim, Director of the ACHD program at The University of Pennsylvania shares her deep insights this week into this important topic.

DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad788

Pediheart Podcast #379: How Often Are CHD Surgical Patients "Non-Responders" or Aspirin Resistant? Apr 17, 2026

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This week we review a recent Australian prospective assessment of aspirin resistance in children undergoing heart surgery. How common is this seen in this patient group and what are the reasons? What is the best test to perform to assess this and what tests may not be worthwile? Who deserves 'routine' testing for this possible problem? Cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Supreet Marathe of Queensland Children's Hospital in Brisbane, Australia shares the results of this recent publication.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2025.09.013

Pediheart Podcast #378: Sinus Node Dysfunction Following Congenital Heart Surgery Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

This week we speak with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Audrey Dionne about a recent work she co-authored on sinus node dysfunction following congenital heart surgery. How common was this encountered and how often were either temporary or permanent pacing needed? Are there certain surgeries that are more associated with the need for pacing after surgery? Why is this so common following heart surgery? Dr. Dionne shares her deep knowledge this week on this surprisingly common problem.

DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.01.049

Pediheart Podcast #377: Rethinking Critical Congenital Cardiac Care With Professor David Winlaw Apr 03, 2026

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In this compelling lecture by Dr. David Winlaw of Northwestern University, we hear his thoughts on the state of the CICU/Surgeon relationship and he offers his thoughts on how to improve care for children with congenital heart disease undergoing surgery. Why does he believe that the more old fashioned approach of having cardiac programs run by academic departments is no longer optimal? What do critical care doctors not understand about surgery and vice versa? Are we asking too much of our CICU practitioners? How can the 'shift work' mentality be abolished and how can we avoid burnout for our critical care front line staff while also improving outcomes for patients? How can we bring joy back into the care of children with critical heart disease? Dr. Winlaw shares his insights from a long career in multiple centers worldwide in the Thomas J. Spray Lecture at the Cardiology 2026 CHOP conference from late February, 2026 in Arizona.

Pediheart Podcast #376: What Are The Critical Components Of A Congenital CCT Program? Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

This week we sit down and speak with noted non-invasive imaging expert Dr. Kelly Han of U. Utah about a recent work she co-authored on recommendations for the development of a congenital heart CCT program. What are the absolute essentials when considering offering these services in a center? How do different scanners differ from one another and how important is it to have single vs. dual source CT? Can good work be performed on 'older' machines? Who are the most important team members for a congenital CT team? Dr. Han shares her thoughts as well as the ideas of many of the thought leaders who co-authored this important statement paper.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcct.2025.01.003

Pediheart Podcast #375: A Tour Through 50 Years Of Congenital Heart Nursing - Lessons Learned Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

This week we listen in to a recent presentation by congenital heart nursing pioneer Ms. Gwen Fosse BSN MSA RN FAHA. Ms. Fosse is a pediatric cardiovascular nursing specialist at Mott Children's Hospital at U. Michigan and has literally done and seen it all over the past 50 years in congenital heart nursing. In this presentation from the CHOP Cardiology 2026 meeting Ms. Fosse shares with us her impressions from a career that spans multiple decades and advances in the field. This presentation was the 26th Annual Thomas Garrett Rauch Memorial Lecture in Nursing at this esteemed conference.

Pediheart Podcast #374: Tricuspid Regurgitation And Outcomes In The HLHS Patient Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

This week we speak with Professor James Cnota of Cincinnati Children's Hospital about a recent report he co-authored from the SVR trial regarding the impact of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) on outcomes in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). How common is TR seen in the HLHS patient and how does this change over time after surgical palliations? Is there an optimal time to intervene on the tricuspid valve in this patient group? What does the future hold for tricuspid surgical interventions? Dr. Cnota has the answers this week.
doi: 10.1007/s00246-025-04122-x

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