Takotsubo syndrome is a potentially reversible cause of acute systolic dysfunction. Takotsubo syndrome is rare in children, with no reported dobutamine-induced cases to date. We present a 14-year-old male with prior history of heart transplantation, who developed Takotsubo syndrome during dobutamine stress echocardiography. We highlight the importance of its early recognition to ensure supportive measures with avoidance of inotropic medications.

Healthcare personnel (HCP) with unprotected exposures to aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) on patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at risk of infection with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A retrospective review at an academic medical center demonstrated an infection rate of <1% among HCP involved in AGPs without a respirator and/or eye protection.

During the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring and summer of 2020, paediatric heart centres were forced to rapidly alter the way patient care was provided to minimise interruption to patient care as well as exposure to the virus. In this survey-based descriptive study, we characterise changes that occurred within paediatric cardiology practices across the United States and described provider experience and attitudes towards these changes during the pandemic. Common changes that were implemented included decreased numbers of procedures, limiting visitors and shifting towards telemedicine encounters. The information obtained from this survey may be useful in guiding and standardising responses to future public health crises.

The ability to effectively lead an interdisciplinary translational team is a crucial component of team science success. Most KL2 Clinical Scholars have been members of scientific teams, but few have been team science leaders. There is a dearth of literature and outcome measures of effective Team Science Leadership in clinical and translational research. We focused our curriculum to emphasize Team Science Leadership, developed a list of Team Science Leadership competencies for translational investigators using a modified Delphi method, and incorporated the competencies into a quantitative evaluation survey. The survey is completed on entry and annually thereafter by the Scholar; the Scholar’s primary mentor and senior staff who educate and interact with the Scholar rate the Scholar at the end of each year. The program leaders and mentor review the results with each Scholar. The survey scales had high internal consistency and good factor structure. Overall ratings by mentors and senior staff were generally high, but ratings by Scholars tended to be lower, offering opportunities for discussion and career planning. Scholars rated the process favorably. A Team Science Leadership curriculum and periodic survey of attained competencies can inform individual career development and guide team science curriculum development.

The National Institutes of Health requires data and safety monitoring boards (DSMBs) for all phase III clinical trials. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute requires DSMBs for all clinical trials involving more than one site and those involving cooperative agreements and contracts. These policies have resulted in the establishment of DSMBs for many implementation trials, with little consideration regarding the appropriateness of DSMBs and/or key adaptations needed by DSMBs to monitor data quality and participant safety. In this perspective, we review the unique features of implementation trials and reflect on key questions regarding the justification for DSMBs and their potential role and monitoring targets within implementation trials.

The heart failure, heart transplantation, and pulmonary hypertension workgroups of the Scientific Committee were honoured to be asked to plan a full slate of sessions at the 2017 World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. In all there were 35 oral platform presentations, a further 14 oral platform presentations in “Bridging Together” sessions with other workgroups/specialties, a terrific debate about transplant listing in adult CHD patients, and a further 23 oral abstract presentations. The speakers were clear and concise, the research presented was ground-breaking, and the global representation was evident.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy associated with Friedreich’s ataxia is progressive, and there are few, if any, effective treatments available at present. This case report describes a Friedreich’s ataxia patient who had a septal myectomy for the management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with improved symptoms over a 7-year period. This suggests that septal myectomy may be a viable option to relieve symptoms and interrupt progression of heart disease in appropriately selected Friedreich’s ataxia patients.

A 10-year-old boy with polyvalvular dysplasia and severe involvement of both atrioventricular valves presented with palpitations. Concern was raised for atrial tachyarrhythmia due to biatrial enlargement; however, ambulatory monitoring discovered a reentrant mechanism. Electrophysiology study revealed atypical atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia involving two components of the slow pathway, with inputs in the posterior septum around his dysplastic tricuspid valve. He underwent successful modification of the slow pathway using cryoablation.