At Cardiology 2017 Conference, Experts in Congenital Heart Disease in Children and Adults Will Discuss Cutting-Edge Healthcare in a Cost-Conscious World

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pediatric heart care spans from the earliest point of fetal gestation to early adulthood, which means a whole new generation of children with congenital heart disease is growing up as a unique population. Basic and clinical research in recent decades has rapidly generated new information about children living with congenital heart disease (CHD) and has contributed to the increasing life span of these children. However, the research also shows that children growing up with a chronic heart condition can face a lifetime of complications that require more research and clinical innovations to ensure this population is offered the best quality of life possible.

This week, an international group of more than 800 medical experts gather at the nation's largest pediatric cardiology conference to discuss bringing science into clinical practice to provide optimal care for fetuses, neonates, children and young adults with CHD. Affecting one in 120 children, CHD is the most common birth defect, and in its most severe forms is also the leading cause of death in infants and young children.

"There's never been a more exciting time to work in the field of pediatric cardiology ? new knowledge is being generated daily and improvements in care are developing very quickly all while we are finding ways to offer increased value in healthcare and to provide the latest breakthroughs for our patients," said Jack Rychik, M.D., course director and medical director of the Fetal Heart Program and the Single Ventricle Survivorship Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "During the course of this conference, we will discuss thought-provoking cost-conscious strategies for incorporating the latest breakthroughs in clinical care and biology into our patients' ongoing care, while also covering the fundamentals of pediatric and congenital cardiovascular care."

With this approach in mind, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia presents the 20th Annual Update on Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Disease. The theme this year is "Care at the Cutting Edge in a Cost-conscious World." The course faculty will present multiple lectures in plenary sessions, as well as presentations in subspecialty breakout sessions and a series of moderated expert panels, discussing the latest science and clinical care for CHD patients.

Pediatric cardiologists, heart surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and perfusionists from nearly every state and over 20 countries will discuss new treatments for children in heart failure, neurodevelopment in CHD patients, innovation and challenges in the management of children with single-ventricle conditions, and adult CHD.

Eight oral presentations by researchers competing for the Outstanding Investigator Award will be featured during the conference ? with the winner announced on Sat., Feb. 25.

Cardiology 2017 ? the 20^th Annual Update on Pediatric and Cardiovascular Disease occurs at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in Orlando, Fla., through Feb. 26. The conference is the largest annual standalone meeting of its kind and brings together leaders in pediatric and congenital heart care from fetal life to adult care from around the world.

The full conference program is available: https://chop.cloud-cme.com/assets/chop/data/16CARD0136%20CME%20Cardiology%202017%20brochure%20WEB%20REV10-27-16.pdf

Contact: Joey McCool Ryan
Phone: (267) 258-6735
[email protected]

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia