Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

Pediheart Podcast #365: Global Inequity In Pediatric CHD Care - Sobering Facts And A Way Forward

This week we speak with noted congenital cardiologist Professor Krishna Kumar of the Amrita Institute in Cochin, India and discuss his recent work on inequities in congenital heart care in the world. Over 90% of patients with CHD do not have access to care in the globe today. What is the path forward to improve this sobering statistic? How can a World Health Assembly resolution practically help improve care in LMIC countries worldwide? Dr. Kumar shares his deep insights. This week we also briefly note the passing of the wonderful and caring pediatric cardiologist Dr. Sangeetha Viswanathan of Chennai, India who tragically died suddenly this week while attending the World Congress events in Hong Kong. Dr. Kumar's words regarding his friend, former fellow and colleague are read in remembrance of this wonderful and giving cardiologist whose loss will be deeply felt by her patients, family and friends.  * DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2025.07.070 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.07.070]

Pediheart Podcast #364: ECMO Prior To Single Ventricle Palliation - Outcomes

ECMO is the topic of this week’s episode of Pediheart. We speak with Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and cardiac critical care specialist at Northwell Health, Dr. Ivana Capin about a recent ELSO database study she conducted to assess outcomes in single ventricle patients who were treated with ECMO prior to single ventricle palliation. What factors were associated with worse overall outcomes? Can this therapy be used to stabilize the HLHS patient with an intact atrial septum? Why have outcomes for this high risk patient group not appreciably improved in the recent decade? How can these data improve prognostic clarity when speaking with families in this difficult situation. Also joining us briefly is Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Dr. Scott Aydin to discuss his co-author and mentor, Dr. George Ofori-Amanfo as we approach the 4th anniversary of his untimely and tragic passing.  * DOI: 10.1017/S1047951125001386 [https://doi.org/10.1017/s1047951125001386]

Pediheart Podcast #130 Replay: What Are The Stressors And Fears Of The New Pediatric Cardiology Fellow?

This week we go back in time to 2020 to delve into the topic of fellow wellness and review a work from the Boston Children's group on fellow fears and stressors when beginning their training. Are there patterns amongst the fellow concerns that can be identified and used to inform interventions to help allay these fears and reduce the stress? We speak with Dr. David Brown, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and also Dr. Tony Pastor who was then the ACHD Fellow at Boston Children's Hospital/Brigham and Women's Hospital about their thoughts on fellow fears and stressors as well as fellow (and doctor) wellness.  doi: 10.1007/s00246-019-02276-z.

Pediheart Podcast #363: Mitral Annular Disjunction Distance And Its Meaning In The Pediatric Connective Tissue Disease Patient

This week we review the topic of mitral annular disjunction ("MAD") and the possible association with ventricular arrhythmia or sudden death in the connective tissue disease patient. Is there a 'cut off' distance above which patients deserve more significant arrhythmia surveillance? What is the best way to measure the MAD distance? Can patients with low MAD distances have lower degrees or even no arrhythmic surveillance? How often should this distance be measured on CMR and can an echo measurement provide similar data? Dr. Daniel Castellanos, the first author of this work and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School shares his deep insights this week. * DOI: 10.1016/j.jocmr.2025.101954 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocmr.2025.101954]

Pediheart Podcast #362: Outcomes Of Coronary Artery Fistulae

This week we review a recent retrospective review from Phoenix Children’s Hospital about coronary artery fistulae. How common are they and who needed intervention? How should the cardiologist think about the small fistula? Should they all be ‘followed’ or can they be discharged from cardiology follow-up? How small is ‘small enough’? We speak with Dr. Marie Chevenon who is a fetal cardiologist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital about her recent study on the Phoenix experience with coronary artery fistulae.   https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-024-03600-y