We are excited to host the 14th Annual Master Class in Congenital Cardiac Morphology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  

Many individuals were instrumental in bringing this course to fruition.  First, we would like to thank all the faculty who are giving presentations during the course.  We are particularly appreciative of our visiting professors, especially Professor Robert Anderson and Diane Spicer, BS, for their precious contributions as guest faculty.  We would also like to express our gratitude to the UPMC Children’s Department of Pathology for their collaboration making the unique heart specimens from the Frank E. Sherman and Cora C. Lenox Heart Museum available for the course. In addition, we are most grateful to Mr. Bill Devine, ex curator of the Heart Museum, for his expertise and dedication to the Heart Institute’s educational mission. Drew Berkhoudt and Angie Kinnunen have been a tremendous help organizing this event and we are thankful for their support. We are also appreciative of James Ferris from Massive Media for his skill and dedication to this virtual Master Class.  

This educational event is generously sponsored by the Heart Institute at UPMC Children’s. 

Thank you for your participation in this meeting and we look forward to seeing you at our next annual Mater Class!
 

This year’s Master Class will focus on Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis. A true understanding of the morphologic components of this anatomy is essential to correct interpretation of diagnostic testing, and ultimately high-quality treatment to assure optimal outcomes. With a focus on morphology, we will explore approaches to non-invasive imaging, pre and postoperative, as well as management algorithms. In this single full-day comprehensive course, we will focus on the morphological aspects that dictate therapeutic approaches. Thus, we will commence with a discussion of development, provided by Professor Anderson on the basis of his ongoing research into the developing human and murine heart, continue with a didactic pathology presentation by Diane Spicer, followed by a video demonstration of autopsy specimens from the Frank E. Sherman and Cora C. Lenox Heart Museum by Bill Devine (retired curator for the museum). We will cover fetal diagnosis and echo imaging and further explore cross-sectional imaging. Controversies on the use of interventional therapies including transcatheter palliative approaches versus surgical interventions will be discussed. Surgical repair perspectives will be presented as well followed by postoperative ICU care. We will expand on postoperative imaging as well as transcatheter therapies, and explore aspects of long-term care, including electrophysiology and long-term outcomes.  The session will include a review of novel research approaches to possibly impact the incidence of late right ventricular failure through myocardial regeneration, presented by Bernhard Kuhn, MD. Our expectations are that this be an interactive class, with discussion and audience participation in the Q&A section. 

We are grateful to the many individuals that brought this course to fruition, to the Congenital Heart Academy for supporting its worldwide transmission, and to all the participating faculty and attendees. 

Robert H. Anderson, Jackie Kreutzer, and Victor Morell.