News Releases

WHO:
Victor O. Morell, MD
Chief, Division of Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Peter D. Wearden, MD, PhD
Pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon
Director, Pediatric Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Support
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

WHAT:
During a live Web cast, Drs. Morell and Wearden will discuss the current lack of technology available for children in heart failure and provide updates on efforts in the United States to develop a pediatric ventricular assist device.

The Heart Center at Children’s is one of the world’s most experienced centers in the use of VADs to support pediatric patients in heart failure and in need of a transplant.

The Continuing Medical Education event, which will be available via a live Web cast, is part of Children’s Grand Round Lecture series and is titled “Mechanical Support of a Child’s Failing Heart: Past, Present and Future.”

The availability of VADs for use in infants and young children is extremely limited, with no device specifically approved for use in this age group in the United States. Dr. Wearden currently is spearheading two National Institutes of Health-funded projects to develop internal and external VADs for this age group.

WHEN:
Thursday, April 10, 2008
8 a.m. EDT

Options for Attending:
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
3705 Fifth Ave.
Oakland

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Live via Web cast
Registration for the live Web cast and post-event archived session is available.