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New $3.1M NIH grant for University of Houston to study how ‘spongy heart’ disease develops — and whether it can be stopped

University of Houston researcher Mingfu Wu has received a $3.1 million NIH grant to investigate left ventricular noncompaction, a serious heart condition that can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. The study aims to uncover a common mechanism behind different genetic causes of LVNC and potentially identify new targets fo...

“Silent DNA switches” in heart development may trigger rare birth defect ——New study links noncoding mutations near TBX1 to tetralogy of Fallot

A new study identified functional noncoding variants in the TBX1 enhancer that contribute to tetralogy of Fallot. These variants reduce TBX1 expression, disrupt outflow tract vessel formation, and lead to reduced angiogenesis, vessel regression, and abnormal tight junction morphology.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2026

Cardiovascular care for older adults should account for cognitive impairment and frailty

A new ACC Scientific Statement highlights the importance of considering cognitive impairment and frailty in cardiovascular care for older adults. The statement outlines practical strategies for prevention, screening, assessment, and management, aiming to improve outcomes such as independence, mobility, and caregiver burden.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateAug 10, 2026

Early access to a cardiac surgical hospital linked to shorter hospitalization for newborns with heart defects

A study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that nearly half of infants with severe heart defects were born in hospitals without cardiac surgery. Transferring these babies to a cardiac surgical center sooner was associated with shorter hospital stays compared to those transferred later.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalThe Journal of Pediatrics·DateJul 8, 2026

Congenital heart defects in mothers are associated with developmental problems in children, including physical, lingual, social, and emotional maturity

A new study found that children of mothers with congenital heart disease face a higher risk of developmental vulnerability, including physical health and emotional maturity issues. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, analyzed over 250,000 Canadian children born to mothers with heart defects.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJul 2, 2026

Seven-second X-ray scan accurately detects severity of heart valve regurgitation in patients with repaired congenital heart defects

A simple, seven-second X-ray scan can accurately detect the severity of pulmonary valve regurgitation in patients with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot. The test uses dynamic chest radiography and requires minimal radiation, offering a more accessible diagnostic option for those who cannot undergo traditional methods.

SourceKyushu University·JournalRadiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 4, 2026

AI-powered ECG could help guide lifelong heart monitoring for patients with repaired tetralogy of fallot

A Mount Sinai-led study developed an AI tool that analyzes ECGs to identify patients at risk for harmful heart changes, potentially reducing the need for expensive and time-consuming cardiac MRI scans. The tool could make lifelong heart monitoring more accessible and efficient for people born with congenital heart disease.

Mount Sinai Health system receives $8.5 million NIH grant renewal to advance research on long-term outcomes in children with congenital heart disease

The Mount Sinai Hospital has received an $8.5 million NIH grant renewal to continue groundbreaking research on long-term outcomes for children with congenital heart disease. The project will unite clinical leaders and registry data from all 25 congenital heart surgical centers across four states to study how differences in health care ...

ACC/AHA issue new guideline on managing congenital heart disease in adults

Adults born with heart defects are at increased risk of cardiac complications as they age. The new guideline provides recommendations for monitoring, counseling, and treating Congenital Heart Disease (CHD), including mental health assessment and physical activity guidance. It also emphasizes the importance of access to ongoing speciali...

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateDec 18, 2025

SCAI releases new guidance to improve safety and outcomes of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure in premature infants

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has published a new position statement providing best-practice guidance for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in premature infants using transcatheter occlusion. The guidance emphasizes patient selection, pre-procedural planning, and post-procedure follow-u...

How the early heart develops

A team of scientists has found that the ion channel PIEZO2 is crucial for coronary vessel formation and heart development. Without PIEZO2, coronary arteries may develop improperly, leading to oxygen supply issues in the heart muscle. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Cardiovascular Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 27, 2025

Does anemia during pregnancy affect newborns’ risk of heart defects?

Researchers discovered that mothers who are anemic in early pregnancy have a 47% increased likelihood of giving birth to a child with congenital heart disease. This finding suggests that widespread iron supplementation could help prevent congenital heart disease in many newborns before it develops.

SourceWiley·JournalBJOG An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology·DateApr 23, 2025

Study implicates 60 genes in congenital heart disease, including some that that also contribute to related to disorders such as autism

Researchers identified 60 genes linked to congenital heart disease, with some also contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism. The study provides new insight into the genetic architecture of CHD and has implications for prenatal screening and early risk assessment.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 25, 2025

JSCAI special issue explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence in interventional cardiology

This special issue explores AI's applications across various subspecialties, including coronary interventions, structural heart disease, and cardiovascular imaging. It highlights the importance of responsible AI integration and addressing bias in decision support systems.

SourceSociety for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions·JournalJournal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions·DateMar 18, 2025

Hidden genetic causes of congenital heart disease identified

Researchers at The Mount Sinai Hospital have identified 10 novel gene pairs potentially linked to the development of CHD. Their study uses trio exome sequencing data to uncover previously hidden genetic risks, which could improve diagnostic precision and open new avenues for personalized treatment strategies.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe American Journal of Human Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2025

Bringing genomics into public policy requires greater awareness, professional training, and investment

The WHO's Technical Advisory Group on Genomics published an article outlining challenges and actions to promote the use of genomics in public health. The group aims to increase awareness and provide technical guidance to accelerate access to genetic technologies, enabling preventive measures and targeted treatment for various diseases.

Latest research redefines neurodevelopmental risks, outcomes for congenital heart disease

A new American Heart Association scientific statement offers the latest knowledge on neurodevelopmental outcomes in people of all ages with congenital heart disease. The statement highlights that neurodevelopmental difficulties are common complications faced by individuals with congenital heart disease, affecting their ability to funct...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateFeb 22, 2024

Revolutionary genomic study sheds light on immune microenvironment in transplanted pediatric hearts

A team of researchers from Texas Heart Institute and Baylor College of Medicine have made a significant discovery about the underlying molecular cell states within transplanted pediatric hearts. They found that donor-derived tissue-resident macrophages are crucial for graft acceptance, but their loss leads to allograft failure.

SourceTexas Heart Institute·JournalCirculation·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2024