Cracking the Cardiac Code

The heart is an involved organ in many syndromes impacting kids. Our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of pediatric heart conditions has improved greatly with better access to genetic testing. From inherited arrhythmias to structural congenital heart defects, genetic testing is becoming an essential part of the diagnosis, treatment and family counseling in kids with heart problems.

To help us understand this evolving field, we are joined by Kathryn Chatfield, MD. She is the director of the Cardiac Genetics and Aortopathy Program at Children's Hospital Colorado and specializes in clinical genetics and genomics, as well as cardiology. She is also an Associate Professor of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode, our cardiac genetics expert discusses:

• How to determine which kids should undergo a cardiac genetics workup and which ones may not need it
• Understanding if these diseases are inherited, spontaneous or mutations
• Why some kids with heart conditions are not seen until they are older
• How primary care providers can interact with specialized genetics clinics