Reducing Unneeded Referrals of Low-Risk Patients with Chest Pain

Decision support tool reduces unneeded referrals of low-risk patients with chest pain A simple evidence-based change to standard practice could avert needless referrals of low-risk patients to cardiac specialists, potentially saving nearly $4 million in annual health care spending while also easing worried parents’ minds. Cardiac surgery chief recognized for studies of surgery’s impacts on neurodevelopment Richard Jonas, M.D., received the Newburger-Bellinger Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Award in recognition of his research on the impact of cardiac surgery on the growth and development of the brain. Rohan Kumthekar, M.D., wins AAP award Efforts to develop surgical approaches that would eliminate the need for complex, open surgery when placing pacemakers in babies and young children have earned Rohan Kumthekar, M.D., the American Academy of Pediatrics Cardiology Research Fellowship Award. Looking for atherosclerosis’ root cause A multi-institutional team led by research faculty at Children’s National has found that extracellular vesicles derived from kids’ fat can play a pivotal role in ratcheting up risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease well before any worrisome symptoms become visible. Plasticizer interaction with the heart New preclinical research finds acute exposure to MEHP, a common plasticizer used in medical equipment, increases risk for alternans and arrhythmias, disruptions in heart rhythm. Lee Beers, M.D., FAAP, is president-elect of AAP Lee Savio Beers, M.D., FAAP, was elected by her peers to become president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) beginning Jan.1, 2020.

Upcoming Events American Heart Association Scientific Sessions November 16-18, 2019 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PCICS Joint Paediatric Critical Care International Meeting November 20-22, 2019 London, England ECMO and the Advanced Therapies for Cardiovascular and Respiratory Failure February 23-27, 2020 Keystone, Colorado ACC.20 Together With World Congress of Cardiology March 28-30, 2020 Chicago, Illinois Pediatric Academic Societies Meeting April 29-May 6, 2020 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Sessions May 6-9, 2020 San Diego, California