Children's Hospital Boston presents at the 2006 American Heart Association meeting

November 12-15, 2006, Chicago

November 15, 2006

This year's American Heart Association Scientific Sessions included several presentations of special interest from Children's Hospital Boston.

A step toward tissue-engineered heart valves for children
Infants and children who receive replacements for missing or malformed heart valves face a high frequency of re-operations, since the prosthetic replacements cannot grow along with the child. Researchers Virna Sales, MD, and John Mayer, MD, in Children's Hospital Boston's Department of Cardiac Surgery, have developed a tissue engineering technique for creating biological replacements for pulmonary valves (those that allow blood to flow from the right ventricle into the pulmonary artery). They isolated cells from the blood known as endothelial progenitor cells, and "seeded" them onto tiny biodegradable molds that were pre-coated with proteins found in the natural "matrix" that surrounds and supports cells. Using this technique, they were able to make pulmonary valve leaflets (flaps) with the desired cellular characteristics and mechanical flexibility. Dr. Sales was selected as one of five finalists for the AHA's Vivien Thomas Young Investigator Award based on her research.

Presentation/embargo time: Sunday, November 12, 3:45-4 pm C.T.
Title: Protein Pre-coating of Elastomeric Tissue-Engineering Scaffolds: Extracellular Matrix Formation and Phenotypic Changes of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Location: McCormick Place, S401bcd
Abstract #: 1986

Rescuing injured hearts by enhancing regeneration
Cardiology researchers Felix Engel, PhD at Children's Hospital Boston and Mark Keating, MD (now at the Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research), have shown that it may be possible to reduce tissue injury after a heart attack and preserve heart function by using techniques of regenerative medicine. Working with rats, they used a two-drug approach that got heart-muscle cells to multiply, minimized scarring, and boosted the heart's pumping ability (as measured on echocardiograms) after a simulated myocardial infarction. Images are available.

Presentation/embargo time: Monday, November 13, 9:00-10:30 AM CT
Title: FGF1 Stimulation/p38 Inhibition Induces Cardiomyocyte Mitosis, Reduces Scarring and Improves Function after Myocardial Infarction
Location: McCormick Place, Hall A2
Abstract #: 513

Implantable defibrillators in children: findings of a multicenter registry
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are almost exclusively used in adults, but a growing number are being implanted in children with congenital heart disease. A study co-led by Children's Hospital Boston electrophysiologist Charles Berul, MD, provides a "report card," reviewing the records of 422 patients who had received an ICD at one of four pediatric centers for electrical diseases of the heart, congenital heart malformations, and other conditions. The review found that 26% of patients received appropriate shocks from their ICD, but 20% received inappropriate shocks, suggesting the need for better programming of the device, measures to prevent lead failure, and closer patient observation.

Presentation/embargo time: Monday, November 13, 9:45-10:00 AM CT
Title: A Multicenter Pediatric Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Retrospective Registry
Location: McCormick Place, S402
Abstract #: 2209

Patching holes inside the heart -- while it's still beating
Cardiac surgeons Pedro del Nido, MD, and Nikolay Vasilyev, MD, at Children's Hospital Boston have developed a way to patch holes inside the heart while it's still beating -- using a catheter to deliver and anchor the patch, guided by real-time, three-dimensional echocardiography. They demonstrate in animals that atrial septal defects (ASDs), even very complex ones, can be closed without the need for open-heart surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass, which both pose risks to the patient. (ASDs are congenital defects in which there is a hole in the wall that divides the heart's right and left atria; they can cause lung problems and heart failure if not repaired.) Catheters were able to navigate to the site of the defect and, using mini anchors, affix the patch precisely without damaging surrounding heart structures. The group has also prototyped special surgical instruments for beating-heart surgery and is working to incorporate robots in the operations.

Presentation/embargo time: Tuesday, November 14, 9 AM-5 PM (exact time TBA)
Title: Beating-Heart Closure of Atrial Septal Defects with Complex Geometry: Real-time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography-Guided Hybrid Approach
Location: McCormick Place, Hall A2
Abstract #: 3033/C198

Founded in 1869 as a 20-bed hospital for children, Children's Hospital Boston today is the nation's leading pediatric medical center, the largest provider of health care to Massachusetts children, and the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. In addition to 347 pediatric and adolescent inpatient beds and comprehensive outpatient programs, Children's houses the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries benefit both children and adults. More than 500 scientists, including eight members of the National Academy of Sciences, 11 members of the Institute of Medicine and 10 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise Children's research community. For more information about the hospital visit: www.childrenshospital.org.