The Incubator

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Sitaram Emani from Boston Children's Hospital.Dr. Emani discusses his participation in a session on the "borderline left ventricle," focusing on the controversy between bi-ventricular repair and single ventricle pathway in certain cardiac cases. He highlights a novel staged approach for unbalanced AV canal defects, which allows for left ventricle growth assessment without committing to a single treatment path.The conversation emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment plans, noting that identical echocardiograms can lead to different outcomes in different patients. Dr. Emani stresses the value of keeping options open and allowing the child's physiology to guide treatment decisions.Dr. Emani also shares insights from a session on complex cardiac neonates with other major malformations. He discusses the challenges of balancing cardiac and non-cardiac issues, weighing the benefits of full repair against less invasive approaches.The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of early, open communication with families about all care options, including palliative care, especially in complex cases.Throughout, Dr. Emani emphasizes the conference's value in fostering interdisciplinary discussions and challenging established approaches to improve patient care. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Nim Goldshtrom and Dr. Thomas Hayes, both from Columbia University.The guests highlight NeoHeart's unique multidisciplinary approach, bringing together experts from various fields related to neonatal cardiac care. They emphasize the conference's focus on cutting-edge research and innovative approaches.Dr. Hayes discusses the importance of family communication in neonatal care, describing it as an art that needs to be developed into a more teachable science. He also shares insights from recent talks, including the inclusion of genetic data in research cohorts and innovations in pulse oximetry to address racial bias.Dr. Goldshtrom talks about the AI session he moderated, discussing the current state of AI in neonatal care. He notes the rapid progress in areas like cardiac imaging while highlighting challenges in predicting complex patient outcomes.Both guests stress the importance of collaborative care and the need for humility in medical practice, especially when dealing with uncertainty. They also discuss the potential of AI to enhance bedside diagnostics when combined with clinical expertise.The episode concludes with information about accessing recorded sessions from the conference through the NeoHeart Society website, encouraging listeners to engage with the full talks from the event. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Aditya Kaza, a pediatric cardiac surgeon from Boston Children's Hospital who directs the neonatal cardiac surgery program.Dr. Kaza discusses key takeaways from the conference session on prematurity and congenital heart disease. He highlights the need for better risk assessment tools for premature infants with cardiac issues, mentioning ongoing efforts to develop more comprehensive databases that include maternal-fetal and perinatal risk factors.The conversation touches on the evolving approach to surgical timing in premature infants with cardiac lesions, emphasizing the trend towards less invasive initial interventions when possible. Dr. Kaza stresses the importance of tailoring treatment to each patient's individual risk factors.He also shares insights from his lecture on surgical options when PDA stenting is not feasible, discussing various shunt materials including cryopreserved veins. Dr. Kaza explains the benefits of using biological materials in certain cases, particularly for patients with coagulation defects.The episode underscores the value of conferences like NeoHeart in fostering collaboration across specialties and driving innovation in neonatal cardiac care. Dr. Kaza emphasizes the potential for such meetings to spark new ideas and improve outcomes for neonates with congenital heart disease. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben Courchia and Daphna interview Dr. Mary Mullen, a pediatric cardiologist from Boston Children's Hospital.Dr. Mullen discusses her upcoming talk titled "Navigating Complexity: Heterotaxic Complex CHD and Mixed Pulmonary Vascular Disease." She explains the various aspects of complexity in neonatal cardiac care, including developmental defects, transitional physiology, complications of prematurity, and complex congenital heart disease.The conversation highlights the increasing complexity in neonatal care due to advancements in technology, imaging, and interventions. Dr. Mullen emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach in addressing these complex cases.They explore the challenges of coordinating care among various specialists and the role of pulmonary hypertension experts in orchestrating treatment strategies. Dr. Mullen also discusses the importance of transparent communication with families in managing complex cases.The episode concludes with information about the Pediatric Pulmonary Hypertension Network (PPHNet), highlighting opportunities for professionals to engage with this community and further their expertise in pediatric pulmonary hypertension.Throughout the interview, Dr. Mullen underscores the evolving nature of neonatal cardiac care and the need for collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to navigate its increasing complexity. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Shiran Moore from Israel, a first-time guest on the podcast.Dr. Moore discusses her poster presentation at the conference, which focuses on a retrospective study of about 1,000 babies who underwent resuscitation in the delivery room. She shares insights from her research, which examines heart rate and heart rate variability in infants with various degrees of encephalopathy and their long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.The conversation touches on the importance of understanding the relationship between cardiac function and brain health in neonates. Dr. Moore emphasizes how advancements in hemodynamics and precision treatments are changing the field of neonatology.She highlights her takeaways from the conference, particularly praising the session on right ventricular function. Dr. Moore stresses the value of applying lessons learned from congenital heart disease patients to premature infants in the NICU.The episode concludes with Dr. Moore explaining her choice to attend NeoHeart, citing the conference's intimate atmosphere and in-depth focus on topics she's passionate about as key factors in her decision to travel from Israel for the event. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Brittany Graham, a cardiologist-neonatologist currently specializing in fetal imaging from Houston.Dr. Graham discusses her unique training path, which includes pediatric cardiology at Mayo Clinic, neonatology at UT Houston, and a current year in fetal imaging. She explains her motivation for pursuing this comprehensive training, emphasizing her desire to provide continuous care for families from fetal diagnosis through NICU care.The conversation touches on the challenges and rewards of such an extensive training journey. Dr. Graham expresses hope that her experience might pave the way for more integrated and efficient training programs in the future. She highlights the value of conferences like NeoHeart in connecting professionals with diverse training backgrounds.Dr. Graham shares her vision for an ideal career combining critical care and fetal outpatient settings, allowing her to support families throughout their entire journey. She also discusses her poster presentation at the conference, which focuses on a complex case of pulmonary hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in an infant of a diabetic mother, highlighting the use of vasopressin in management.The episode underscores the growing need for specialists with comprehensive training in fetal and neonatal cardiac care, especially in light of evolving healthcare landscapes. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna are joined by Dr. Gabriel Altit from Montreal and Dr. Carolina Michel from Mexico, who co-host the French and Spanish editions of the podcast respectively.Dr. Michel expresses her excitement about meeting renowned experts in neonatal care at the conference. She highlights her interest in sessions on PDA controversy and BPD with pulmonary hypertension.Dr. Altit discusses his involvement in POCUS and targeted neonatal echo workshops. He previews his upcoming talk on acute pulmonary hypertension in premature infants, emphasizing the importance of a physiological, individualized approach to patient care rather than a one-size-fits-all strategy.The conversation touches on the challenges of clinical trials in neonatology and the trend towards precision medicine. Both guests praise the conference's year-in-review sessions for their comprehensive coverage of recent research.Dr. Altit promotes his Neo Cardio Lab website and app, which offer resources on neonatal hemodynamics and POCUS. The hosts also plug their non-English language podcasts and the upcoming Delphi conference, which will feature POCUS workshops.The episode highlights the collaborative nature of NeoHeart and the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in advancing neonatal cardiac care. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Sam Gentle, a neonatologist presenting at the conference.Dr. Gentle discusses his upcoming talk on the potential impact of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on the progression of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)-associated pulmonary hypertension. He emphasizes the lack of pulmonary hypertension as an outcome in previous PDA trials and the importance of considering PDA as a continuous exposure rather than a binary one.The conversation touches on the challenges of determining when to intervene in cases of prolonged PDA exposure. Dr. Gentle shares insights from his research, suggesting that PDA exposure beyond 2-3 months may significantly increase the risk of pulmonary hypertension in premature infants.They discuss the cognitive biases that can affect clinical decision-making regarding PDA treatment and the need for statistical analysis to guide interventions. Dr. Gentle also mentions an upcoming trial on percutaneous PDA closure that will assess pulmonary hypertension as an outcome.The episode highlights the ongoing debate in neonatology regarding PDA management, particularly the question of how long is too long to leave a PDA open. Dr. Gentle appreciates the conference's multidisciplinary approach, noting the value of gaining perspectives from cardiologists on these complex issues Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Lauren Ruoss from Winnie Palmer Hospital and Dr. Catalina Bazacliu from the University of Florida.Dr. Ruoss discusses her role in bridging cardiac-focused care and targeted neonatal echo. She highlights her upcoming session on when cardiac POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) may aid in neonatal care, emphasizing the nuances and training required for cardiac POCUS compared to other applications like lung ultrasound. Dr. Ruoss also shares successes from her program, including improved physiological discussions and management of acute pulmonary hypertension in term infants.Dr. Bazacliu shares her motivation for attending NeoHeart, citing her goal to stay current with literature and eventually start a hemodynamic program at the University of Florida. The conversation emphasizes the welcoming nature of the conference for professionals at various stages in their hemodynamics journey.The hosts and guests discuss the collaborative nature of the neonatal hemodynamics community, highlighting resources like Gabriel Altit's curriculum and monthly case reviews. They stress the importance of ongoing learning and the need for more training programs in this field.The episode underscores the evolving nature of neonatal hemodynamics and the value of conferences like NeoHeart in fostering knowledge exchange and professional growth. Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textIn this episode of "The Incubator" at NeoHeart 2024, hosts Ben and Daphna interview Dr. Anna Penn, Division Chief of Neonatology at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.Dr. Penn discusses the morning's expert panel on heart-brain interactions, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in neonatal care. She highlights how research from various fields can inform the understanding and treatment of congenital cardiac disease.The conversation touches on Dr. Penn's work in "neuroplacentology," exploring the connection between placental hormones and neurological outcomes. She stresses the immediate practical applications of current knowledge, particularly in empowering families and providing early interventions.Dr. Penn praises Columbia's model of an infant cardiac unit run by neonatology, noting its positive impact on outcomes for preterm babies with congenital heart disease. She emphasizes the importance of a "baby-first, heart-second" approach in care.The episode underscores the significance of multidisciplinary collaboration in neonatal cardiac care, as exemplified by the NeoHeart conference. Dr. Penn expresses her enthusiasm for upcoming sessions, particularly on prematurity and congenital cardiac disease.CopyRetry Support the showAs always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!