Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today

This week we review a recent Fetal Heart Society study on ventriculocoronary connections in the HLHS patient. How common are these encountered? How different are outcomes when these are seen in the HLHS (MS/AA) patient? How easy are they to see in fetal life? What is the proposed mechanism for effect on outcomes in the HLHS patient? What are some tricks for better identification of these important connections in fetal life? Dr. David Barris and Dr. Jennifer Cohen, both of Mount Sinai, are the first and senior authors, respectively, of this work and join us to discuss an important observation and the ramifications of their presence in this already fragile patient group.

doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.126.080144

This week we review a recent cardiac pathology/surgical paper on the pathological outcomes of a novel expanded PTFE pulmonary valved conduit (GORE PV1) that is entirely non-biological in nature. Thrombus formation was a serious problem encountered in many patients with this prosthesis. What explains this? What might explain the excellent performance of the valve in comparison to other more common biological valves? What is the present clinical status of this device? How far are we to the development of a better RV to PA valved conduit with excellent longevity and functionality without calcification? Professor Stephen Sanders of Harvard University and Boston Children's Hospital shares his insights into the pathology of those conduits that have been explanted. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2026.03.608

This week we review a recent work on the topic of female pediatric cardiology division chiefs and leaders and discuss why there is inadequate female representation in our field. What is the difference between mentorship and sponsorship? How can better representation in leadership roles improve divisions and care for children with CHD? We speak with Dr. Dana Gal of USC/Children's Hospital of LA about her work. 

Following our conversation with Dr. Gal, we sit down for a panel discussion about the challenges of navigating being a mom and being a pediatric cardiologist and speak with women at different stages of their careers as moms and cardiologists including Dr. Bharti Sharma of Mount Sinai, Dr. Gal of USC, Dr. Elizabeth DeWitt of Harvard University, Dr. Nicole Sutton of The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Dr. Daphne Hsu, also of The Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Topics discussed include balancing motherhood with busy careers. How does motherhood enhance these leaders' professional lives? How do they prioritize the important personal and professional responsibilities they have? How can we be more supportive of one another? A lot of wisdom is shared in an important and vital conversation this week. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101805

In this week's episode from 3 years ago we review a Dutch study on 50 year follow-up of patients who had ASD repaired at an average age of 7.5 years. How do these patients compare to their middle aged counterparts who did not have congenital heart surgery? Why might the RA or RV be enlarged in these patients, decades after successful ASD closure? How common are arrhythmias seen in this cohort? How common is pulmonary hypertension seen? These are amongst the questions reviewed this week with the work's first author, Dr. Robert Martijn Kauling.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2023.131616

This week we review a recent report from the team at UTSW comparing early outcomes following biventricular repair vs. Fontan palliation for complex congenital heart disease with borderline ventricles or complex cardiac anatomy that may, in the past, have been immediate triggers for single ventricle palliation. Who is a good candidate for this sort of two ventricle approach and what anatomical types could be viewed as 'low lying fruit' for two ventricle palliation? How do early outcomes compare between these two very different approaches? Are we choosing Fontan approaches more commonly because of a perception of greater predictability? Is this true or accurate? Dr. Nicholas Andersen and Dr. Abhay Divekar of UTSW share their deep insights into this fascinating study and approach. 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2026.07.021