DUNBAR IVY , MD
Pulmonary hypertension
Dr . Ivy is among a group of experts actively filling a gap in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease . These patients make up an increasing proportion of the total pulmonary hypertension population , but there are currently no consensus recommendations available to primary cardiologists or pulmonary hypertension subspecialists on how to best manage this group of patients .
Dr . Ivy published a scientific statement from the American Heart Association titled , “ Pulmonary Hypertension in Congenital Heart Disease " in the journal Circulation : Heart Failure . The statement describes the various pulmonary hypertension groups and subgroups associated with congenital heart disease , delineates imaging modalities used in patient evaluation , provides medical and surgical management considerations , highlights disparities within this population , and identifies gaps and future research needs of patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with congenital heart disease .
While there have been many advancements in the management of these patients , more research is needed to better understand the cause and pathophysiology within the many subgroups and to develop targeted drug therapies .
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RONI JACOBSEN , MD
Adult congenital heart disease
Dr . Jacobsen is among the select group of specialists who recently published a position statement in JACC : Advances , an open journal published on behalf of the American College of Cardiology Foundation . The statement , “ Sexual Health and Well-Being in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease : An International Society of Adult Congenital Heart Disease Statement ” encourages ACHD providers to provide an open , inclusive environment to discuss sexual health with their patients . This is extremely important because individuals with ACHD may experience barriers to achieving well-being in this aspect of their lives . Outcomes for people living with ACHD are improving , and it ’ s time to go beyond discussions about mortality to those that facilitate well-being in its fullest sense . Normalizing conversations about sexual well-being is another step toward a holistic approach to quality of life . Ensuring clinicians are serving as educators , allies and advocates is one of the ways we can break down the barriers for individuals with ACHD .
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SHELLEY MIYAMOTO , MD
Cardiomyopathy
Dr . Miyamoto contributed to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association titled , “ Treatment Strategies for Cardiomyopathy in Children .” This statement discusses treatment strategies for pediatric cardiomyopathies , a leading cause of heart transplantation in childhood , with an emphasis on dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy .
Because the mechanisms by which cardiomyopathies develop and progress in children are different than those in adults , adult therapies do not always translate to therapies that are successful in children . As a result , the statement ’ s suggestions focus on cause-specific therapies in children for prevention and attenuation of their cardiomyopathy in addition to symptomatic treatments .
The authors cite optimization of data collection , new clinical trial designs and advancements in precision medicine as some of the ways to improve our ability to diagnose and treat cardiomyopathies in children . Finally , they emphasize the need to empower youth with cohesive transitions from child to adult care in order to achieve optimal long-term outcomes .
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