Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

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

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 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcct.2025.01.003]

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

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

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

Pediheart Podcast #373: Thoughts About Congenital Heart Disease Research And Treatment With Dr. Gail Pearson

This week we listen in to a wonderful presentation that was delivered at the CHOP 2026 annual conference which was held in Phoenix, AZ. In this week's lecture we hear Dr. Gail Pearson of the NHLBI and NIH deliver her thoughts about the future of congenital heart research. Where does this master of research believe the next discoveries are going to arise from? What are the lessons we have learned from the PHN research endeavors over the past 25 years? Dr. Pearson offers her thoughts in this wonderful presentation which was the 24th Annual William J. Rashking Memorial Lecture at this conference. This presentation was delivered on 2.28.26.

Pediheart Podcast Replay #309: A Conversation With Surgical Living Legend, Dr. John Brown

This week we speak with Dr. John Brown who is the Harris B. Schumacker Professor Emeritus of Surgery at the University of Indiana. A congenital heart surgeon for over 45 years, Dr. Brown has performed more than 15,000 pediatric heart operations at Riley Hospital for Children and another 5000 heart operations in adults at IU and Methodist Hospitals. He performed the first pediatric heart transplant in Indiana and developed the first clinical use of the bovine jugular vein and valve for a pulmonary valve replacment in children. He also performed the only known twin to twin newborn heart transplant in the world. He has done and seen it all and has a unique perspective. How did he achieve so much and still have a succesful 56 year marriage to his wife Carol Ann? What is Dr. Brown most proud of in a career that is as prolific as his? What advice would he have have for the next generation? Prepare to be inspired by this master surgeon and friend and colleague of many in our field.