Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

This week we review a fascinating epidemiological study from the University of Ottawa on the impact of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and twins on the rates of congenital heart disease. What is the more important factor in the development of congenital heart disease - twin pregnancy or ART? Do all ART pregnancies require a fetal echo? We speak with 3 world authorities - epidemiologist Dr. Shi Wu Wen, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Jane Lougheed and fertility expert, Dr. Arthur Leader - all professors at the University of Ottawa. A fascinating topic and discussion! DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.6096

This week we re-review an impressive review of the large Australian/New Zealand registry of Fontan patients assessing the impact of AV valve regurgitation and failure on Fontan outcomes. We discuss this work with the senior author Yves D'udekem, Associate Professor of Surgery at The Murdoch Children's Research Institute and also speak with Professor Frank Cetta of the Mayo Clinic who authored a wonderful editorial on this work. Who is at most risk for AV valve failure at Fontan? How well do patients do with AV valve replacement or repair? We discuss all these issues this week on this exciting episode. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.025

This week we re-review an impressive review of the large Australian/New Zealand registry of Fontan patients assessing the impact of AV valve regurgitation and failure on Fontan outcomes. We discuss this work with the senior author Yves D'udekem, Associate Professor of Surgery at The Murdoch Children's Research Institute and also speak with Professor Frank Cetta of the Mayo Clinic who authored a wonderful editorial on this work. Who is at most risk for AV valve failure at Fontan? How well do patients do with AV valve replacement or repair? We discuss all these issues this week on this exciting episode. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.025

This week we have a very topical episode on the recently identified multi system inflammatory syndrome in children associated with SARS-CoV2 infection (MIS-C). What defines this syndrome and how does it differ from other inflammatory disorders such as toxic shock syndrome or Kawasaki disease? We speak with 2 world authorities - Associate Professor of Pediatrics - Albert Einstein - Dr. Nadine Choueiter as well as Commissioner of Health for NY State - Dr. Howard Zucker. A rare opportunity to speak with a clinician 'on the ground' as well as get a public health perspective from Dr. Zucker who is also a pediatric cardiologist and anesthesiologist. One of the most interesting episodes of the series. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021756 & doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021680

This week we have a very topical episode on the recently identified multi system inflammatory syndrome in children associated with SARS-CoV2 infection (MIS-C). What defines this syndrome and how does it differ from other inflammatory disorders such as toxic shock syndrome or Kawasaki disease? We speak with 2 world authorities - Associate Professor of Pediatrics - Albert Einstein - Dr. Nadine Choueiter as well as Commissioner of Health for NY State - Dr. Howard Zucker. A rare opportunity to speak with a clinician 'on the ground' as well as get a public health perspective from Dr. Zucker who is also a pediatric cardiologist and anesthesiologist. One of the most interesting episodes of the series. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021756 & doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021680

This week we review a recent large database study of WPW with particular interest in the patient with intermittent preexcitation. Traditionally, this finding has been considered a sign of low risk. Is this true? Who deserves formal invasive EP testing in this setting? Should all WPW pathways be ablated? These are amongst the many interesting questions discussed with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics - University of Alberta - Dr. Carolina Escudero. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.05.035

This week we review a recent large database study of WPW with particular interest in the patient with intermittent preexcitation. Traditionally, this finding has been considered a sign of low risk. Is this true? Who deserves formal invasive EP testing in this setting? Should all WPW pathways be ablated? These are amongst the many interesting questions discussed with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics - University of Alberta - Dr. Carolina Escudero. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2020.05.035

This week we speak with Professor Robert Hamilton of University of Toronto about a recent potentially groundbreaking work on a novel approach to the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome using an immunological test. How accurate is this test for diagnosis of this often elusive syndrome? Is autoimmunity the cause of disease or are the antibodies just a marker of disease. What's the latest on Professor Hamilton's work on testing for ARVC (reviewed previously in episode 43)? Dr. Hamilton provides us with lots of answers this week. For those interested in collaborating in his studies, his email and that of his research coordinator are in the podcast this week. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa383

This week we speak with Professor Robert Hamilton of University of Toronto about a recent potentially groundbreaking work on a novel approach to the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome using an immunological test. How accurate is this test for diagnosis of this often elusive syndrome? Is autoimmunity the cause of disease or are the antibodies just a marker of disease. What's the latest on Professor Hamilton's work on testing for ARVC (reviewed previously in episode 43)? Dr. Hamilton provides us with lots of answers this week. For those interested in collaborating in his studies, his email and that of his research coordinator are in the podcast this week. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa383

This week we speak with Professor Marc Gewillig of Leuven, Belgium about a recent paper he co-authored on the topic of the relation of ductal morphology to success at endovascular stenting. Are there some morphologies that are more difficult than others? How is the length of the ductus optimally estimated when choosing a stent length? Dr. Gewillig shares many pearls this week. doi: 10.1002/ccd.28725

This week we speak with Professor Marc Gewillig of Leuven, Belgium about a recent paper he co-authored on the topic of the relation of ductal morphology to success at endovascular stenting. Are there some morphologies that are more difficult than others? How is the length of the ductus optimally estimated when choosing a stent length? Dr. Gewillig shares many pearls this week. doi: 10.1002/ccd.28725

This week we review the outcomes of Fontan palliation in the Down Syndrome patient. We speak with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Lauren Sarno of East Carolina University about a recent work she co-authored on a complex statistical analysis she performed from the STS database. What accounts for worse outcomes in this patient population? Prepare to be surprised by the information provided this week! DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.07.085

This week we review the outcomes of Fontan palliation in the Down Syndrome patient. We speak with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Dr. Lauren Sarno of East Carolina University about a recent work she co-authored on a complex statistical analysis she performed from the STS database. What accounts for worse outcomes in this patient population? Prepare to be surprised by the information provided this week! DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.07.085

This week we have the rare opportunity to speak for the entire podcast with a pioneer in pediatric heart transplantation and VAD support - Professor James Kirklan of University of Alabama. Dr. Kirklin shares his experiences in forming the PHTS and other organizations devoted to mechanical assist devices in adults and children and how he started the process of multi-institutional studies to answer important questions in surgery and medicine. Dr. Kirklin shares his thoughts regarding the future in this field and also offers some general career and life advice. This is a 'not to be missed' chance to learn from one of the greats of our time in medicine!

This week we have the rare opportunity to speak for the entire podcast with a pioneer in pediatric heart transplantation and VAD support - Professor James Kirklan of University of Alabama. Dr. Kirklin shares his experiences in forming the PHTS and other organizations devoted to mechanical assist devices in adults and children and how he started the process of multi-institutional studies to answer important questions in surgery and medicine. Dr. Kirklin shares his thoughts regarding the future in this field and also offers some general career and life advice. This is a 'not to be missed' chance to learn from one of the greats of our time in medicine!